Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.
During that first national commemoration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there. -PBS
At the beginning of WWI, Moina Michael was a professor at University of Georgia. Like many other women on the homefront, she contributed to the war effort by knitting, rolling bandages, and collecting items to be sent to troops overseas. But she wanted to do more. So, she left her job and traveled to New York to open a place where soldiers could come for a little rest and relaxation. But that still wasn’t enough. Inspired by a poem, Moina Belle Michael began wearing and distributing poppies. It was a simple gesture that grew into a grand movement. Today, the poppy is recognized as the symbol of fallen soldiers, all because one woman refused to let those soldiers be forgotten. (Ages 6 – 10)
In Charleston, South Carolina, in 1865, ten-year-old Eli and other newly freed slaves gather to honor the memory of fallen Union soldiers, an event considered to be one of the first celebrations of what is now called Memorial Day.
As somebody who has lived in the Washington DC suburbs for over 10 years, the Rolling Thunder tradition is an integral part of Memorial Day. On that weekend, the roads become crowded with bikers coming from all over the country to honor the fallen and the missing. This lyrical rhyming picture book depicts the experience of one small boy as he joins his grandfather for the famous ride. He hears the stories of other veterans, has the thrill of riding in a sidecar, and experiences the solemnity of the Vietnam Wall. A nice introduction to a highly respected tradition. (Ages 4 – 8)
Since the idea of Memorial Day began during the Civil War, it makes sense to pick up some books set during the same time period. A unique choose-your-own-adventure format puts middle-grade readers right in the middle of the battles, from Gettysburg to Chancellorsville; few things bring home the reality of a situation like being asked to make tough choices yourself, plus there is a lot of room for rereading and new discoveries in Doeden’s book. Another great Civil War choice for middle grade readers is The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale, where readers follow 11 year old bugle player Gabe into the The Battle at Gettysburg as he tries to protect his older brother and make sense of the fighting. (Ages 8 – 12)
Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops, by Jill Biden and Raúl Colón
The Second Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, has also written a book inspired by her own family’s experiences. Told from the viewpoint of Natalie, her granddaughter, young readers will be able to understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by military service members and their families. There are also some really great ideas on helping kids, both your own and those of other military families, to celebrate and support each other. Memorial Day isn’t just about being thankful to those who have lost their lives in war; it is about supporting their families as well. (Ages 5-8)
In another beautifully drawn picture book, this gentle story follows a young boy and his father as they search for his grandfather’s name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Using soft illustrations and a calm narrative voice, Bunting and Himler have created a loving book about a difficult topic. Sometimes the best way to tell a story is the simple way, as this book shows. During Memorial Day, or before any trip to visit The Wall in Washington DC, this book should be on everyone’s must-read list. (Ages 4-7)
Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden
Hiroshima by John Hersey
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by Stephen E. Ambrose
War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier Smedley Darlington Butler
Did we miss any? Let us know.
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