Take a moment today to remember the many men and women who have protected and served us, our country and the freedom we cherish.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom. — Abraham Lincoln, November 1864

While we’re thinking about the meaning of this day, you might be interested to know that the association of red with Memorial Day goes beyond just being the red, white and blue of the American flag.  The color red and the poppy symbolize “remembrance of those that died in war”

This association came out of one of the most memorable poems ever written about war.  It is a poem called “In Flanders Fields” written by Lt. Col. John McCrae.  The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion in Flanders in the disturbed earth of the battlefields and cemeteries where war casualties were buried.

It is very moving and if you aren’t familiar with it you can hear it read in this video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Okay, if that video left you feeling a bit emotional, get back in the happy, holiday spirit by heading on over to Julie’s post “Inspiration Americana” for some uplifting ideas for celebrating in true American style.

And if you think that that Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day came about after WWI you might be surprised to learn that it started shortly after the Civil War.  Find out more at  History of Memorial Day.

See more pictures and learn about the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Happy Memorial Day!

A question Georgea Kovanis attempts to answer in her article, Did purple apparel send a message at the State of the Union address? I was quoted in the article.

“Color sends a message,’” says Kate Smith, a color expert who works as a corporate color consultant. “There’s some message on our mind, whether it’s conscious or unconscious.”

So, what does purple mean when it comes to politics?

Because it is a combination of red and blue, it carries some meanings from both colors. “You’re communicating the trustworthiness from blue as well as some red, the power, the in-charge side of red,” says Smith, who owns Sensational Color, a company based in Washington, D.C. “They’re unifying.”

And unification was one of the points of Obama’s speech.

And a bit further into the article:

The fact that he wore a tie that leans more toward burgundy than a true red is significant, too, says Smith. “It still has the message of the red tie, but when you go to a deeper tone, it’s not in your face, it’s not quite as bold.”

In other words, he’s in charge but he’s willing to cooperate with others.

Read the entire article on the Detroit Free Press

I also wrote a follow up post on our Live In Full Color blog.

Check out all of my many Squidoo lenses and if you like what you find please take time to give me a 5* rating at the top of the lens page. Thanks.

Can you guess where it is?

I just posted a short article inspired by this sign.  You can read it here…

Chinese Web users, stung by international criticism of China ahead of the Beijing Olympics, have splashed red across the Internet by adding hearts and “CHINA” to their names when chatting online in a show of support.

Several Reuters reporters’ contact lists for online chat programs, such as Microsoft Corp.’s MSN, steadily filled up with red hearts during the day, though opinions differed as to what, exactly, the symbol signified.

Continue reading at globeandmail.com