Memorial Day (May 22) is right around the corner. This special day was established to honor those who have died in American wars, though it wasn’t originally called Memorial Day. In 1868, John A. Logan, the commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans, promoted Declaration Day, a national holiday on May 30.
It originated during the American Civil War, when citizens would place flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. After the Civil War, many cities held observances in May for the families of both Confederate and Union soldiers who had died serving their cause.
After World War I its name changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day. Since 1971 Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May. It is observed with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and by religious services, parades, and speeches nationwide.
How to Celebrate Memorial Day
Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time. If you’re in Phoenix, you can find a few events here. You can also…
Buy a Poppy
The poppy’s significance to Memorial Day derives from John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Fields.” The poem is as follows:
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
During the days leading up to Memorial Day, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) accept donations for poppies. Purchase a poppy and your donation assists in maintaining state and national rehabilitation and service programs for veterans. Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials.
If you prefer a quieter way of honoring those who fell, you can also wear a red poppy in remembrance. We especially recommend doing this if you have a fallen family member, friend, or in support of another family. It is a great tradition to openly show your support and remembrance without drawing too much attention to yourself.
Decorate with Flags
Memorial day also symbolizes patriotism and the strength given to this nation by the fallen. For many years, it has been a tradition to decorate graves of fallen soldiers with flags on Memorial Day. Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. If you have a flag pole, consider joining the tradition this year.
Grill Out! Honor the Fallen with Family
Families of fallen veterans know the importance of getting together to remember their sacrifice. Get together, grill good food, and laugh while you honor their memory. After all, why not surround their name with happiness instead of somberness?
It’s more than buying red, white, and blue plates and napkins too. Lay out their photo, make their favorite foods, and share stories about their life. Remember them in a way that they would want to be remembered — as a citizen of the United States who gave everything for their family, friends, and country.
If you’re worried about fighting heartburn after a cookout, try these natural prevention methods.
Natural Heartburn Relief
Vitamins A, B, C, and E all have promising effects on treating heartburn because they help prevent GERD and acid reflux. The best part of this method is it doesn’t matter how you take it — ingest it or get an IV, both will work quickly and effectively.
According to a 2006 study, B vitamins may also help stop acid reflux symptoms. Researchers divided the participants into two groups. Neither group knew which treatment they were receiving.
Group A took a dietary supplement containing:
- Vitamin B-6
- Vitamin B-12
- Vitamin B-9, or folic acid
- L-tryptophan
- Methionine
- Betaine
- Melatonin
As a result, Group A reported less symptoms than those that did not take B vitamins.
If you don’t want to leave your home or are in full planning mode, give us a call. We’ll come right to your door with hydrating and heartburn preventing IV treatments. Schedule your appointment today!