May 31 Happy Memorial day 2010 quotes, poems

May 31 Happy ‘Memorial day’ 2010 quotes, poems and What is Memorial day?

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War 1. Barack Obama will pay respects to the nation’s war dead during Memorial Day observances at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, south of Chicago.May 31st marks the day of the annual City of Appleton MemorialDay Parade. President Barack Obama will take part in one of the highest profile events in the state scheduled for Monday.The parade will begin promptly at 9:00 AM, at the corner of College Avenue & Appleton Street.

Following the parade, a memorial ceremony will take place inside Riverside Cemetery at the burial plot of the George D. Eggleston Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Immediately following this ceremony will be a salute at the Oney/Johnston American Legion Post No. 38 plot at the entrance of St. Joseph’s Cemetery (also within Riverside Cemetery).

Quotes

Is’t death to fall for Freedom’s right?
He’s dead alone who lacks her light!
~Thomas Campbell

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

Poem

Look up, there’s our flag!
We can count every star,–
And the red, blue, and white,
How lovely they are!

Floating high, floating wide,–
We can see it from far,
Our flag, it’s the flag,
We can count every star!

In the sun, in the wind,
Do its bright colors shine.
O look at the flag,
It is yours, it is mine!

~Nancy Byrd Turner~