I remember a time when Memorial Day was Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, even though school was already out for the summer, the high school marching band marched one more time in a procession that ended at the cemetery. Memorial Day was a day for remembering. Today Memorial Day seems more about the first long weekend of summer than a day for remembering. We are rapidly losing an important part of our culture. Not only do our actions betray us, our speech betrays us. Many people do not know what Memorial Day is.
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
Today Memorial Day is a day of observances to honor those who have died in all of the nation’s wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Previously, the date of Memorial Day celebrations varied from state to state. Memorial Day has also come to be a time for remembering and decorating the graves of family members.
Memorial Day is not Veteran’s Day. Veteran’s Day is set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces in wartime. It is celebrated each year on November 11.
Memorial Day is not “Armed Forces Day.” The purpose of Armed Forces day is to honor Americans serving in any of the five branches of the armed forces–the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May. Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Week over any period in May.
I hope you have a pleasant and enjoyable Memorial Day. Time with family and friends is precious, and provides opportunities to remember and celebrate our shared lives. A part of our shared lives is the freedom we enjoy in our nation. I hope that your Memorial Day includes a time for remembering those who have given their lives in order that we might enjoy that freedom.