Memorial Day is a national
holiday in the United States and has been since 1866. It was originally known
as “Decoration Day” and was traditionally observed on May 30. The federal
holiday was changed in 1971 to the last Monday in May in order to have a
three-day weekend.
The change in the observance of Memorial
Day most likely watered down the meaning of the day. Many Americans have
forgotten – maybe never learned – why we have Memorial Day. Some of these individuals
and families use the three-day weekend to go hiking, camping, or partying and
never give a thought to the real purpose of the day.
However, Memorial Day is day set
apart to honor the American men and women who died during combat. It is a day
for us to ponder and to contemplate the sacrifices made by men and women when
they stood between their homeland and the enemy.
Decoration Day was created after the
Civil War to remember soldiers that fought for both the Union and the Confederacy.
More Americans were lost during the
Civil War (620,000) then died in both World Wars combined (521,000). Factor in
the differences in population and you can imagine how hard of a hit the war
between the north and the south was on the country itself.
It is altogether fitting that we
observe Memorial Day by visiting the gravesites of our loved ones, gathering
together as families, and even participating in parades to honor the day. We
should make every attempt possible to honor those men and women who left their
homes and families in order to protect our homes and families. For those
families who lost loved ones in service to the nation, every day is Memorial
Day.
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