*Title taken from a verse in the song "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" by Walter Kittridge. Today is Memorial Day. A day to honor our fallen soldiers. It's an important day for us as Americans, but it seems some (to include myself) have forgotten the true meaning of this special day. Yesterday morning while in Church, our Associate Pastor asked that those who had lost a loved one in war to stand. As they stood, I felt a deep sadness and respect for these people. But, I also felt guilt. I am guilty of thinking of Memorial Day as a "day off". The day where you can officially start wearing white shoes. How selfish! I feel great shame in admitting that, but it is true. This is the first year in my life that I have really thought about what today means and about the people who given their lives for our country, our freedom. While reading about Memorial Day this morning, I ran across an article titled Memorial Day History (if you want, you can check it out here: usmemorialday). The article stated that "the traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years" and that "many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day." Well, seems that I'm not the only one. So, in honor of this truly special day for us all, I want to share an article written by Tim Smith and a video that goes along with it. I think it's a great article with important points on what today is about. The song/video is as Smith says, "a remarkably powerful, personal expression of that war's toll."
A musical reminder of the war that led to Memorial Day
"The original purpose of Memorial Day can get easily lost amid all the cookouts or, in these parts, trips to the beach for the unofficial start of the summer season. The origin of the holiday can get overlooked, too, since there have been so many wars since the one that led to the practice of commemorating those who died in service to the country.
It was in 1868 that the first Decoration Day ceremonies were held, honoring the dead of the Union Army in the Civil War. Over time, of course, the observance incorporated the dead of both sides and, renamed Memorial Day, encompassed all of this country's fallen in subsequent wars.
I was thinking today of those Civil War roots of the holiday and of a song that was popular with Northern troops: "We're Tenting Tonight On the Old Campground." I'm fascinated by Walter Kittridge's words from 1864 as much as the tune. This is a remarkably powerful, personal expression of that war's toll -- any war's toll.
It seems doubly appropriate to recall it on this Memorial Day, when there are still conflicts and casualties. I've posted some of the lyrics here, followed by a recording of "Tenting Tonight" that effectively communicates the song's sadly timeless message:
"We're tenting tonight on the old campground. Give us a song to cheer our weary hearts, a song of home, and friends we love so dear. Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, wishing for the war to cease. Many are the hearts looking for the right to see the dawn of peace ..." "
So, our wish this Memorial Day for all those who have lost loved ones serving our country and providing, preserving and defending our freedom, we say thank you and you are not forgotten.
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