We don't forget the ones that didn't come home, or the ones in the hospitals. We serve those who served. In Gen. Logan's day, graves were decorated with fresh flowers. That, too, has changed. Today people use mostly silk or polyester flowers, which can last about six months.
Fresh flowers last maybe three days.
While it's a holiday to memorialize loved ones and to decorate their graves, Memorial Day is not a Hallmark occasion. I researched that once, and found only one request for Memorial Day cards. Neither were greeting cards part of Logan's vision. No portions may be re-posted without written permission of the author. SunONE is a service mark of The New York Times Company.