Memorial Day 2011 is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.

Memorial Day Events

In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. Read more>>>

Memorial Day Poems

Many people have expressed eloquently the emotions of Memorial Day in their verses. Such as the Memories Day Poems below:

Memorial Day

Joyce Kilmer

We walked among the crosses

Where our fallen soldiers lay.

And listened to the bugle

As TAPS began to play.

The Chaplin led a prayer

We stood with heads bowed low.

And I thought of fallen comrades

I had known so long ago.

They came from every city

Across this fertile land.

That we might live in freedom.

They lie here Neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty

My sacrifice was small.

I only lost a little time

But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over

For this Memorial Day.

To the names upon these crosses

I just want to say,

Thanks for what you’ve given

No one could ask for more.

May you rest with God in heaven

From now through evermore.

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow;

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain;

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush;

I am in the graceful rush.

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the star shine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

Flowers would be in Bloom on Memorial Day

Skimming lightly, wheeling still,

The swallows fly low

Over the field in clouded days,

The forest-field of Shiloh —

Over the field where April rain

Solaced the parched ones stretched in pain

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Flag Song

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!

Memorial Day Quotes

More people like to use the simple but meaningful quotes to express their memory and grieved emotion. Here is a collection of some of the most famous Memorial Day Quotes and sayings:

• The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. – Benjamin Disraeli
• Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt. – Bergen Evans
• The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children. – William Havard
• The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage. – Thucydides
• Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. – Billy Graham
• The story of America’s quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. – Randy Vader
• Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves. – Carol Lynn Pearson

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