While we look forward to the long Memorial Day weekend filled with barbeques and family gatherings, few remember or take time to reflect on the reason why that day is so important. It is the one day our nation sets aside to honor our courageous Veterans who gave their lives in defense of freedoms, way of life, in this great nation.
Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868. Decoration Day was established as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the fallen with flowers. The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day, which was first used in 1882. Memorial Day did not become the more common name until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal Law until 1967.
“on May 5, 1868, General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11 stated ‘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,’ he proclaimed.”
Memorial Day is also sometimes confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day to commemorate those who have laid down their lives for the U.S. military, while Veterans Day is a day to thank and honor all those who have served honorably in the military, during both wartime and peacetime.
To ensure that the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in 2000 President Bill Clinton signed into law the “National Moment of Remembrance” to encourage all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
Memorial Day is much more than just a three-day weekend. This Memorial Day, let’s honor and pay tribute to the servicemen and servicewomen who laid down their lives defending our nation’s freedom and ideals. Attend a Memorial Day ceremony, place flowers on the gravesite of a fallen soldier, participate in the National Moment of Remembrance, or write letters of gratitude and remembrance to a Gold Star Family. Honor those who have protected our freedoms, never forget or take their sacrifices for granted.
“This memorial Day, be sure to thank those who have served, for their service, especially those who bear the emotional wounds as they remember their fallen friends,” said MDVA Commissioner Larry Shellito.
In remembrance of Memorial Day, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs collected a
list of events taking place across the state.
