A Memorial Day to Remember

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Wait, let me rephrase that: this weekend is when someone decided that it would be more convenient to celebrate Memorial Day, and give everyone a three-day holiday. Memorial Day is actually May 30th. All federal offices will be closed. There will be no mail delivered, no banks open, and flags will be flown at half-staff, to honor those who have fallen in war.

The initial meaning of Memorial Day has been blurred over the years, since deciding we should celebrate it on the last Monday of May. What was once meant to honor those who gave their lives in Freedom’s name, is now the weekend when swimming pools open for the summer, we take our first summer get-away weekend, and gather with family and friends for picnics. For many, it marks the beginning of summer, in spite of the fact that summer “officially” begins on June 21st.

I find myself wondering why so many choose to forget what this day was designated for us to remember. Is it because we are honoring the dead and we don’t wish to feel sad? Then don’t! We are to honor those people. We are to celebrate their sacrifice. We are to reflect on all we have as a result of what they did. Do we want to forget because it makes us think of war? Well, yes, war is hell, but unfortunately, as long as there are people who choose not to get along with other people, war will always be with us.

Hey, I’m all for a holiday weekend, and a chance to get outdoors and party with my peeps. But it would only take a moment to remember the people who fought for our right to freely go out and spend the three days any way we wish. After all, we have a whole summer ahead of us to throw those picnics and make those travel plans. Let me leave you with this gentle reminder of Memorial Day:

Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation’s gratitude—the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
—General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters

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