Spending Christmas in Vietnam

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Why It’s So Important That All Remember Memorial Day

Unfortunately it seems that many Americans have forgotten, or simply given up on, the true meaning of Memorial Day. For many people, Memorial Day is known as the “unofficial first day of summer.” The weather is finally warming up and kids are getting out of school. People view the long weekend as a chance to get away for a few days. Others associate Memorial Day with weekend sales at their favorite stores.

While barbecues and beach trips are nice, what’s the real meaning of Memorial Day?

On Monday, May 27, the United States observed Memorial Day. For decades, Americans celebrated Memorial Day on May 30 but, in 1971, the U.S. Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and a federal holiday. This holiday began as Decoration Day, which described the decoration of graves with flowers, wreathes and other remembrances of those lost to war. After WWII, Decoration Day transitioned to Memorial Day with the official federal law in place in 1967. 

In 2000, a National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed, asking Americans to take a moment to remember those who died for their freedom. The National Moment of Remembrance is supposed to occur at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day each year. On Monday at 3 p.m., Americans were encouraged to take a moment to remember those who have served and those who have died to defend our country.

The World War I poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae inspired the Memorial Day custom of wearing red artificial poppies, and the tradition continues today to wear them to honor those who died in war. It is customary on Memorial Day to fly the flag at half-staff until noon to symbolize all the soldiers lost over the years, and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset to represent the remembrance and appreciation of their lives.

Whether or not you know someone personally who lost their life while serving our country, it is not difficult to respect and honor these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and safety. After all, America is home of the free because of the brave.

Note: Several internet sites were used for this article.

Blake Hyfield is the post service officer for the local VFW and American Legion posts. He can be reached at bhpegleg@yahoo.com.

  Blake HYFIELD