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Memorial Day ~ A Day of Rememberance

A Day of Remembrance
Memorial Day - May 25
The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemetery grounds and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origins of Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was first known, are unclear.

After the Civil War, America's need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent, as monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers' graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.

For many years, states observed the holiday on different dates. By federal law, however, Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May.



In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row.
-Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918)


Red Poppies

Since World War I, poppies have been a symbol of remembrance at Memorial Day. The red poppy was used to symbolize the blood of those who died in service to their countries.

The idea started in 1918 when American Moina Michael read the poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915 during World War I. She began wearing poppies in memoriam and sold them to others, using the proceeds to help veterans.

After World War I, veterans sold artificial red poppies to help raise money for French and Belgian war orphans. Today, donations to veterans' groups are often marked with a token paper red poppy.

Tip: To prolong a poppy's life as a cut flower, plunge the stem in hot water after cutting.

Information by the farmers almanac.




Memorial day is Monday May. 25th. Pre-writes are welcome here, fresh writes are encouraged.

This contest will close Tuesday May 26th.

Enter as many times as you'd like (please make sure prewrites stay on theme here. Variation and or variables may be deleated from contest. ie: if it dosen't make me think "memorial day" it's deleated".

Feel free to use pic. as inspiration.

Any style.

Pre writes welcome, but fresh writes preferred.

No Bashing.

No Hating.

Have fun.

Enjoy.

Reservations welcome, but please don’t get lost (or forget about me)

Write On!


P.S. If anyone would like to donate to the points in this contest donations are welcome (not a request or suggestion, just a statement )


Hope you all have a safe and blessed weekend

Shantti

Now go show me what you've got!


Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on May 26
  • Rewards: Gold: 500, Silver: 100, Bronze: 75, Honorable mention: 5 people
  • Final notes:
    Thank you everyone for entering and sharing in this contest. It's been an honor reading everyones work, I had to add points and wish I could have added more hm's but the system only allows me 5. Hope you all had a safe and happy Memorial weekend.
    Namaste,
    Shantti

Contest Winners

  1. Sgt Johnson USMC (this is for you)
    I wrote this to show my love for those that have been lost in the system..
    by Lactar Wolfgang 29 lines, 23 comments, on Jul 22 9:48 PM 2005. In Society, Other
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  2. silent field
    a silent field
    echos softly of voices past
    by Draig aine 2 lines, 25 comments, on May 21 8:17 PM. In Contest, Life, Sad, Thoughts
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  3. A Poppy Grows
    Ghostly spirits rise,
    Brandishing swords and spears--
    by Autumn Ginger 15 lines, 5 comments, on May 22 10:00 AM. In war, Contest, Life, Sad
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  4. Thank You
    A beautiful field of blood red poppies
    Many thousands of young, bright blooms
    by LittleMoon 30 lines, 9 comments, on May 21 9:07 PM. In Remembrance, Personal, Tribute
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  5. Character
    It was like any other day
    for this innocent little girl
    by BluesMan 64 lines, 91 comments, on Sep 23 11:29 AM 2008. In Contest, Nature, Life, Sad, Personal, Pain, Love, Noguest
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  6. Let It Be Lady Luck
    Let it be Lady Luck
    That saves me today
    by adolescente 31 lines, 2 comments, on May 23 8:14 PM
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  7. The Drifter
    by Maxboy 35 lines, 198 comments, on Oct 12 2:18 AM 2008. In Life, Sad, Contest
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  8. "Unknown Soldier"
    Dedicated and in Honor of my father:
    Colonel John F. O'Grady
    Missing-In-Action
    by TarasWay 84 lines, 6 comments, on May 23 4:19 PM. In War, Goodbyes, Humanity, Sadness, Death, Personal, Loss, Dedication
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]

Entries [25]

1 - 25 of 25

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Comments

1 - 6 of 6

  • Lactar Wolfgang
    May 21
    Edit | Reply

    thank you

    As a vet I thank you for this contest it means allot


  • Draig aine gold member
    May 26
    Edit | Reply

    thank you for my silver thingy

    I am in awe of the writes , you honor me


  • awitersheart
    May 26
    Edit | Reply

    Thank you so much.

    Thank you so much for your complements, this was an awesome contest and I really enjoyed being a part of it. I bet it was hard to judge all these beautifully written poems thank you .

  • Lactar Wolfgang
    May 27
    Edit | Reply

    wow

  • Lactar Wolfgang
    May 27
    Edit | Reply
    thank you for the honor i am shocked there were allot a great writes

1 - 6 of 6