A platoon of United States Marine Corps Honor Guard members participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. Picture taken by Sgt. 1st Class Adora Gonzalez
Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer
In addition to great deals at the mall, my memories of the first day of summer include claiming the best spot near the swimming pool for my towel, watching hot dogs and hamburgers sizzle on the grill, scooping potato and macaroni salads onto my paper plate and sliding butter onto corn on the cob as I sat with friends and family in our backyard.
Anticipating shopping, picnics and pool fun over a long holiday weekend makes Memorial Day stand out as the unofficial start of summer, but for many families, Memorial Day carries a deeper meaning. It is a day we honor those who have lost their lives in service to our country, a day to think back to those loved ones who died protecting the way we live. The concept isn’t new; people have honored those who died in battle for a very long time.
The idea of honoring fallen warriors goes back to antiquity
The Ancient Greeks and Romans honored soldiers who died in combat, but it took a bloody civil war to begin the tradition in the United States. After losing so many men, members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in 1866 established a day to honor those who died in battle. They named it Decoration Day and selected May 30th as the day to decorate graves with flowers, say prayers and sing songs to honor Confederate and Union troops. After WWI, Memorial Day expanded to honor soldiers who died in all American wars.
In 1971 Memorial Day became a national holiday and under the Uniform Holiday Act of 1971 – P.L. 90-363 the last Monday in May became the permanent day of remembrance.
What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day?
Memorial Day takes place on the last Monday in May and acknowledges those killed in war while serving in the U.S. Armed Services while Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th and honors all members of the armed services.
Many states claimed to be the originator of Memorial Day. However, pinpointing the exact place proved difficult since most states did not formally recognize the day, nor did they celebrate every year. In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY the birthplace of Memorial Day.
What will you do on Memorial Day?
Now that you know more about Memorial Day, will you add something new to the way you celebrate? Why not attend a Memorial Day Parade or visit a cemetery to place a flag or flowers on one of the graves? Maybe you will pause a moment during your trip to the store and think about the brave men and women who fought and died for all of the things we take for granted. Whatever you decide to do, have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
