Community :: Honoring Memorial Day

Many of us will be celebrating Memorial Day with our friends and family and enjoying some down time.  I plan to relax, pick up a bit (if I am so inspired) and enjoy this time with my family.  But I also plan to talk to my daughter in an age-appropriate manner about the true meaning of Memorial Day and why we celebrate the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. We are fortunate that the  men in our immediate family  who fought in previous wars (WWII Veterans, Vietnam War Veterans) came back home,  but it is so very  important to honor all those who did not. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer as many are celebrating the holiday with barbeques and family time.  (Source: www.history.com).

Early Observances of Memorial Day

The Civil War claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history, requiring the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.  It is unknown where exactly this tradition stemmed from but many communities around the country initiated memorial gatherings.  In 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.   The city had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866 and hosted an annual event in which many businesses closed and the community decorated the graves of soliders with flags and flowers. (Source: www.history.com).

Decoration Day

General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans called for a nationwide day of remembrance on May 5, 1862 and declared:  “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” (Source: www.history.com)

Evolution of Memorial Day

Decoration Day gradually became to be known as Memorial Day and was originally established to honor those killed fighting in the Civil War but after the United States found itself in another war in World World I, the holiday evolved to honor American military who died in all wars.  In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act so that Memorial Day could celebrated the last Monday in May so to create a three day holiday for government personal.

Memorial Day Traditions

Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials.  Nationwide on Memorial Day at 3pm local time there is a moment of silence so as to honor the men and women who lost their lives.

Many people plan to throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because it marks the beginning of summer.   However you plan to  honor Memorial Day – enjoy your time with your family.  We have listed some crafts for the kids to help celebrate Memorial Day and remember our heroes.

Patriotic Baton Craft:

You will need:

• Eight to ten sheets of newspaper (for each baton)
• Transparent tape
• Scissors
• Red ribbon
• Crafts glue
• Shredded crinkle paper
• 5-inch silver cardboard star
• Star-shape foam stickers

Directions on how to make this simple yet fun craft can be found at Better Homes and Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/holidays/july-4th/crafts/patriotic-baton-craft-for-kids/

American Flag:

Materials Needed:

• long white heavy paper sheet/construction paper/butcher paper
• red and blue paint
• kids hands and feet
• pencil
• ruler
• silver glitter

Instructions: Can be found at Serendity (as the previous version tutorial is offline) – this one is even more simple and she has some really fun kids crafts to do all year long!

Memorial Day American Flag Rock Painting Craft for Kids!

Let’s make a Memorial Day American flag rock painting craft with the kids! Craft supplies you will need:

• Paint
• Rock
• Paint brushes

Instructions on how to make this adorable American Flag go to the one of the following websites: Free Kids Crafts or stagetecture (both sites have other fun crafts for kids). And visit The Kiboomers youtube site for a song you can teach your preschooler or kindergartner while painting your flags.

Visit this Pinterest page for even more patriotic crafts for kids!

References:

History.com: https://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history

Flag Photo courtesy of Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidyuweb/2526103782/sizes/z/in/photostream/