Billy Heroman’s Flowers & Gifts is feeling especially proud this Memorial Day, as we remember and honor our namesake, William Joseph “Billy” Heroman, Sr. Billy passed away at the age of 95 last March, leaving behind a legacy that is the stuff of heroes.
Some days carry more significance than others. Memorial Day is Monday, May 29, and is an opportunity to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as to send an acknowledgment to their loved ones who remain. If you are looking for patriotic flowers, memorial day arrangements, or thoughtful bouquets to observe this special day, Billy Heroman’s Flowers would be honored to help.
“America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.” Paul Tsongas Continue reading
Observed since just after the Civil War, Memorial Day has seen many traditions associated with the day. One of the most solemn is the manner by which the American flag is officially flown. At dawn, the flag is raised to full mast, then immediately lowered to half mast to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. At noon, the flag is once again raised to the top, indicating that those of us still alive will never cease to honor those heroes. Americans also attend parades, memorials and worship services; many veteran organizations also pass out the iconic red poppy in remembrance.
However, the earliest observance of Memorial Day was centered around flowers. Originally called Decoration Day, the first instituted tradition was that of placing flowers on the grave-sites of lost loved ones. Although many traditions have been added since that time, the poignant expression of a floral arrangement remains the favorite of patriotic citizens.
America the Beautiful
One of the most popular arrangements at Billy Heroman’s is our America the Beautiful arrangement. It is a perfect red, white and blue tribute for this day featuring blue hydrangea and red roses. Another very popular Memorial Day design is Floral Fireworks. This bouquet has a lovely assortment of blue delphinium, white daisies, and red carnations.
For a faith based arrangement, many choose our naturally beautiful Red Rose Cross; while those looking for a deeper meaning may opt for our stunning Casablanca White Lilies. Lilies traditionally symbolize that the souls of our loved ones are restored to innocence and purity in heaven.
Floral Fireworks
Memorial Day is the perfect time to stop and reflect on the personal sacrifices of those who fought for America. And flowers remain the perfect representation of reflection, as they have been from the earliest days. On May 5, 1868, as the very first Decoration Day was announced, General John Logan stated “The 30th of May is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers…the graves of comrades” To continue this great legacy with your family, visit any one of our (3) Baton Rouge flower shops; or search online for the perfect expression of gratitude. Happy Memorial Day from all of us at Billy Heroman’s Flowers & Gifts.
For many people the thought of Memorial Day initiates thoughts of barbecues and swimming as it is the start of summer. However, flowers are a great thing to remember this year. There is power in flowers, especially on this holiday. You should understand why they are powerful so you can find the ones that are right for your celebration.
The Original Memorial Day Celebration
The first time this holiday was celebrated was on May 30, 1868. People went to Arlington Cemetery and put flowers on the graves of both the union and confederate graves. This was a way to honor the dead soldiers. While the flowers used were not mentioned, in 1915 the poem In Flanders Fields swayed many to start wearing red poppy flowers on Memorial Day to remember the soldiers who had died during war.
How to Incorporate Flowers into Your Celebration
Even if you are just doing a small barbecue at your home for this holiday, you can still have flowers as a way to celebrate those soldiers who fought for our freedom. You do not have to go with poppies, but just about any flower you want. There are many who believe that red, white or blue flowers should be used, but this is only because they are patriotic colors.
You may even find it helpful to go to a cemetery and place flowers on graves of soldiers. While these are not all marked, if you have a loved one who served and is now deceased this could be a great way to honor their memory by bringing them flowers. This does not have to take away from your normal Memorial Day festivities. You can do this in the morning and still make it to the beach or a party that you have planned for the day.
Take the time to tell someone about the flowers and what they stand for. You may find that it is something that resonates within them and they find a new tradition as well. This is because while it is common knowledge that flowers honor the dead, many do not think about them on holidays such as this to honor soldiers.