Memorial Day an American holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May, began as Decoration Day after the Civil War, when people visited the graves of loved ones and decorated them. It actually was first enacted by freedmen (formerly enslaved African-Americans) in Charleston, South Carolina to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War – it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Although originally honoring the Northern soldiers who had died in the Civil War, ultimately the hostility faded and it became a day to honor all who served their country.
At Hollywood Cemetery there are 18,000 confederate dead, many of whom have never been identified. A pyramid was constructed in 1869 to honor their memory. On the official website http://hollywoodcemetery.org/ in describing this pyramid, it says by the time this pyramid was built (4 years after the war ended) Southerners were referring to the war as "The Lost Cause" but, also according to the website, "the blood spilled in battle by Northerner and Southerner alike forged a new and better America."
This is such a fitting tribute! My husband has always wanted to visit sites related to the Civil War. This looks like it would be an awesome place to go. Thanks for the history lesson-it was a nice refresher! Excellent collage.
I enjoy visiting the military cemeteries, and it is always so humbling to walk around, relaizing the sacrifices that have been made for the freedoms we enjoy.
