Poetry and history.

History and poetry.

Old timer at work told me a interesting story. He asked me did I know the reason for Memorial Day and where it came from? He is 89 year old. I told him no. He told me after a battle in the Civil war. The Southern General decided to put flags upon the graves of Soldiers. Both Northern and Southern Soldiers. The Northern leaders thought it was a good ideal. This is why this day is here today. I thanks him and I research more.

Civil War dead honored on Decoration Day

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By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance is held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

The 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances that had taken place in various locations in the three years since the end of the Civil War. In fact, several cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois. In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon B. Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo�"which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866�"because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

By the late 19th century, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day, and after World War I, observers began to honor the dead of all of America’s wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. It is customary for the president or vice president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. More than 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually. Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.---

                                 

Freedom isn't free, my friend

Today I will drink  a cold beer and shot of whiskey.  I drink alone to friends lost to war. I learn with living, the sadness my Grandparent held when talking of family members lost in World War one and World War two. I go alone to my friends graves and I tell them. I'm staying strong for you. I still hear your voice telling me. Johnnie, you will be fine. Go forward and remember life is hard. We are harder.

Old Dad would sit alone. Drank his rum and beer. He wanted silence and I could hear him talk to dead friends lost in Korea and the Vietnam war late into the night..He lived his life with no fear of no-one. Only the memories of war could make him know weakness.

Today is Memorial day. One of good friend brother's gave me a photo. Words on his fence. Strong and true.

Freedom isn't free.

                                Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

Words, history, thoughts and poetry.

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

freedom is not free, nor is it presumable. It is not an assumption that's suppose to be true without proof.
The proof is in the sacrifice of good men and women. The proof are in those headstones.

Happy Decoration to you Coyote Poetry......

dana

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Dana and I agree.

[Valentine]

Fantastic write and thank you for your research. Very interesting read. Valentine

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. We can learn new things daily. The old man story is true. I did more research. North did copy the Southern use of the flags. Thank you Valentine for reading and the comment.

[~]

Great write dear friend. True for today and everyday. Happy Decoration my dear friend!! Well deserved!!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. A WW2 vet told me the real story. I had to pass on.

[Jamestown]

Freedom is not free, they should think about changing the word
unfortunately:( to many families pay a price that is worth more then
any amount of money, well written piece!
Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate the comment.

[Matching Socks]

Freedom comes with a price, always.
For those who have lost loved ones, the price is too high.
You always touch my heart with your writing John. It's so real.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ana. Real life can be very sad.

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome, yes it can be.

[Robert]

I love history, thank you for this information and putting it out for us to read. That sign is true, I have given some, so has my father, and grandfather. But so many gave it all, the ones that died and the ones that were wounded some way on another.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. The older generation know. So much was given for us to have freedom. We have learn too. Thank you Robert for reading and the comment. I love history also.

[AaronFreitas]

Freedom definitely isn't free and our soldiers and military do everything to give us freedom and a sense of safety in our homes. I loved this piece my friend. Awesome work!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Aaron. I appreciate the comment.

[Willard Wells]

Thank you for this work. We must give thanks to those serving. Now and in the past.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Willard for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[R Smith]

Great job Coyote, a fine tribute to Memorial Day and those lost but not forgotten, in the words of the UK Remembrance Day 'At the going down of the sun, we will remember them'

[Coyote Poetry]

"At the going down of the sun, we will remember them"
I liked the words above and thank you for reading.

[R Smith]

you are welcome :)