Memorial Day Celebrations Engulf Nation
June 1st, 2010 - 8:19 pm ICT by GDBy Meena Kar
June 1, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The country celebrated Memorial Day on Monday on May 31 this year. The day was previously celebrated as Decoration Day. It is celebrated to honor all the soldiers who gave their lives in war. The system started after the American Civil War but was extended after World War I to commemorate all the deceased American Soldiers who lost their lives in military service.
This year the celebration was marked by visits by the common people to cemeteries and memorials. There was also a national moment of remembrance at 3pm. Families get together and participate in parades on this holiday. There was a ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery where flags were laid on the graves of the braves. The day was announced as a holiday in 1971, thus making it a three day weekend. Amongst other important things that take place with respect to Memorial Day is the Indy 500 races that take place in Indianapolis. The custom started as early as 1911. Similarly the Coca Cola 600 are also held on the same day. Unofficially the Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer just like the Labor Day marks its end.
The sentiments of the common people towards war may vary but the sacrifice of the soldiers is never taken for granted. Great writers have paid tribute to this sacrifice. The quotes of the day have become a rage item on the web. The American sentiments are stirred by some of the quotes, like that of Francis Marion Crawford, that do the rounds on the day- “They fell, but o’er their glorious grave, Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save”.
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Tags: american civil war, american soldiers, arlington national cemetery, beginning of summer, coca cola 600, common people, decoration day, francis marion crawford, great writers, important things, indy 500, labor day, meena, memorial day, memorial day celebrations, military service, national moment of remembrance, parades, quotes of the day, three day weekend