05/22/2026
Memorial Day began after the civil war called “Decoration Day” first celebrated May 30, 1868. The purpose was for citizens to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags remembering their sacrifice.
Dr. Jackie and her husband recently traveled to Washington D.C. and Normandy, France. Blessed to see the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tomb of the unknown soldier was created after WW1. Due to major changes in warfare WW1 troops were the first to experience airplanes, chemical warfare and tanks in combat. This resulted in mass casualties and the brutality of injuries made it difficult to identify fallen troops. The Tomb of Unknown Soldier was created to honor those who would never be identified and returned home. Dozens of countries who participated in WW1 also have a tomb of unknowns so we all remember the greatest sacrifice given.
The last pictures are of Omaha Beach. US Army 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry division supported by Army Rangers, Navy and Coast Guard led the assault onto the 5 mile long beach on June 6, 1944. Omaha beach itself saw 2,400 U.S. casualties.
9,389 of those buried at Normandy American Cemetery are those who lost their life on D-Day or supporting the mission. At the memorial site, each individual name of the 1,557 Missing In Action who were never recovered or identified are listed.
When you walk through a veterans cemetery in the southern states pay attention and you may see a white cross with the words “known but only to god”. This is how unknown soldiers were memorialized following the civil war. There are also unknowns from the civil war through the Vietnam war buried in Arlington National Cemetery with the same engraving on their headstone.
This Memorial Day is for remembrance and reflection of the sacrifices given for the way of life we have today. Stay safe this weekend.
