Memorial Day was
originally called Decoration Day, and was first observed on May
30th, 1868, when
flowers were placed on the graves of Union and
Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. VPR presents a series of
archival commentaries devoted to Memorial Day.
Click on the links below to here the thoughts of Commentators Willem
Lange, Bill Seamans, Howard Coffin, Linda DuCharme, David Moats, and Christine
Smith.
AP Photo: Toby Talbot
Memorial Day Memories
– Linda DuCharme
Linda describes Memorial Day during World War II in Stowe with thoughts of a missing friend’s brother and the honer role that tallied the dead and missing.
Women’s Relief Corps – Christine Smith
Christine tells the story of the Women’s Relief Corp in
post-Civil-War Vermont.
Anzio – Willem
Lange
Willem remembers a visit to an American military cemetery in
Anzio, a place in Europe where Americans are loved without reserve.
Book Fair Letter – Howard Coffin
Howard tells the story of a Civil War letter discovered at a
book fair that reminded him of the origins of Memorial Day
Home Front Heroes – David Moats
David relates a scene that unfolded at an airport of a
soldier returning to his family.
Bill feels it’s time to honor not only the war dead on
Memorial Day, but also the wounded and the families who care for them.