How to Memorial Day/ What does it really mean?

Memorial Day is a legal holiday in the United States, last Monday in May; commemorates the members of the United States armed forces who were killed in war.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. May 30th of each year as directed by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John Logan in General Order No. 11. Each brother swears an obligation to always remember this day and pay tribute to the men of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was formerly known as Decoration Day.
   Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 , and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
2. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).
3. Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years.
   Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
   We need to remember with sincere respect those who paid the price for our freedoms; we need to keep in sacred remembrance those who died serving their country.
   We need to teach our children the day's meaning. Show others by our actions that we will not forget. You don't have to believe in war to honor our family, friends and neighbors who died in service to their country.
4. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon. In the morning, the flag should be raised momentarily to the top, and then lowered to half-staff. Americans can also honor prisoners of war and those missing in action by flying the POW/MIA flag. Did you know there is a Memorial Day song?
5. Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping
   Words by G.W.R.
   Music by Mrs. L. Nella Sweet
   Kneel where our loves are sleeping, Dear ones days gone by,
   Here we bow in holy reverence, Our bosoms heave the heartfelt sigh.
   They fell like brave men, true as steel, And pour’d their blood like rain,
   We feel we owe them all we have, And can but weep and kneel again.
   CHORUS
   Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and true,
   Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can do.
   VERSE 2:
   Here we find our noble dead, Their spirits soar’d to him above,
   Rest they now about his throne, For God is mercy, God is love.
   Then let us pray that we may live, As pure and good as they have been,
   That dying we may ask of him, To open the gate and let us in.
   CHORUS
   Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and true,
   Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can do."