May 25th - Memorial Day

When I'm Gone

When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile,

Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned

And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;

Remember some good I have done.

Forget that I ever had heartache

And remember I've had loads of fun.

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I have fought some hard battles

And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going,

I would not have you sad for a day,

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay,

And come in the shade of evening

When the sun paints the sky in the west

Stand for a few moments beside me

And remember only my best. - Mrs. Lyman Hancock

In 1866 Henry Welles, a drugstore owner in Waterloo, New York, suggested that all the shops in town close for one day to honor the soldiers who were killed in the Civil War and were buried in the Waterloo cemetery. On the morning of May 5, the townspeople placed flowers, wreaths and crosses on the graves of the Northern soldiers in the cemetery. At about the same time, Retired Major General Jonathan A. Logan planned another ceremony, this time for the soldiers who survived the war. He led the veterans through town to the cemetery to decorate their comrades' graves with flags. It was not a happy celebration, but a memorial. The townspeople called it Decoration Day. In 1971 Memorial Day it was declared a federal holiday by President Richard Nixon.

Cities all around the United States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday in May to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country.

Memorial Day is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed forces. It is also a day for personal remembrance. Families and individuals honor the memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services, visits to the cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute mark the day with dignity and solemnity. It is a day of reflection.

The National Moment of Remembrance

Asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans. - White House Commission on Remembrance

America Acrostic Poem

Write a poem about America. Start each line with a letter from the word "America."
You can also start each line with a letter from words such as honor, freedom, sacrifice, and courage.

Patriotic Hand Wreath

What you need:
Glue
Scissors
Red, white and blue paint or construction paper.

What to do:
There are two ways to do this craft. One is to trace the child's hand onto paper and cut out the prints. The second is to make paint hand prints on the paper and cut those out Make nine hand prints (3 of each color Cut out the prints and glue to form a wreath.

Red, White and Blue Tissue Paper Flowers

What you need (for one flower):
tissue paper (Red, white and blue for flowers and a bit of yellow or white for the center)
straw
cotton ball
scissors
scotch tape (or floral tape)

What to do:
cut a square of tissue paper (white or yellow) about 2" by 2"put a small piece of cotton (about 1/4 of a cotton ball in the center.

Scrunch the cotton filled tissue paper around the end of the straw and wrap a piece of scotch tape around it.

Put 4 or 5 petals around the cotton filled tissue paper. Tape them on.

Continue adding rows of petals until you have a nice full flower. You'll need at least 4 rows of them.

Fluff the petals out a bit to shape your flower.