Memorial Day {Life}

Memorial Day is a day of reflection, remembrance and respect.  A day to honor fallen heroes who served so selflessly for our country.  

Amazingly, one of the first Memorial Day holidays (originally known as Decoration Day) was held in Columbus, Mississippi, on April 25, 1866.  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says that a group of four women, dubbed the "Decoration Day Ladies," visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers, fallen in the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War.  The women glanced over and noticed the bare graves of fallen Union soldiers.  Together, they marched over to the neglected graves and adorned them with beautiful flowers as well.  

The women's kind gesture inspired a poem, written by Francis Miles Finch.  Today, we are honored to share it with you.

The Blue and the Gray

By the flow of an inland river,
When the fleets of iron have fled
Where the blades of the grave grass quiver,
Asleep are the ranks of the dead.

Under the sod and the dew
Waiting the judgment day
Under the one the Blue,
Under the other the Gray.

From the silence of sorrowful hearts
The desolate mourners go,
Lovingly laden with flowers
Alike, for the friend and the foe.

Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the roses, the Blue,
Under the lilies, the Gray.

Sadly, but not with upbraiding,
The generous deed was done.
In the storms of the years that are fading,
No braver battle was won.

Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the blossoms, the Blue,
Under the garlands, the Gray.

No more shall the war cry sever
Or the winding rivers be red;
They banish our anger forever
When they laurel the graves of our dead.

Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting for Judgment day
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.

We are so thankful for all of the brave men and women who have bravely fought for our freedom.  We hope you all have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day with friends and family! 

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}