Memorial Day - Respect the Sacrifice

Memorial Day - Respect the Sacrifice

It is happening all across America right now.  The enticing scent of barbecue is wafting from backyard grills.  Families are gathering together.  Brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents are greeting loved ones they have not seen in far too long.  City parks and backyards nationwide are alive with games of Frisbee, horseshoes and ladder golf.  As the day turns to dusk, people will gather for memorial concerts performed by local bands or symphonies playing heart-stirring music by Copeland or Sousa. The holiday will be capped off by awe inspiring fireworks underscored by more patriotic tunes.  Invariably, such underscoring will include a beloved tune written and performed by Lee Greenwood.

I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
Cuz’ there ain’t do doubt I love this land
God bless the U.S.A.

Each time I hear those words I am stunned at their simple and heartfelt sentiment.

Faced with a three-day weekend full of beautiful weather and family we can become wrapped up in celebrating the unofficial beginning of summer.  It is easy to forget the true reason for the day: remembering those who have perished in defense of their country and the ideals upon which it was founded.

While it was not a formal national holiday until 1971, the roots of Memorial Day trace back to 1868 when General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers recommended a day to honor those who had sacrificed their lives in the recent Civil War.  At that point it was called Decoration Day because it was set aside to decorate the graves of the fallen with flowers, flag or anything else deemed appropriate.  During the first commemoration on May 30th, 1868, General James Garfield addressed over 5,000 attendees at Arlington National Cemetery who then worked together to place flags on the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate solders.  This tradition continues at Arlington today.

Local Decoration Day celebrations began happening annually across the newly reunited nation.  After World War I, the solemnity which had now become known as Memorial Day expanded to include those lost in all American Wars.  While General Logan suggested May 30th as a consistent date for this remembrance, upon it’s formalization in 1971, the holiday was fixed on the last Monday in May, rather than a specific date.

This is the reason we all have a day off of work.  We have this day off to remember.


High Road Challenge for the Day: Memorial Day was set aside as a day to remember the fallen, and honor their sacrifice.  It is so important that we take the time from our family celebrations to do that.  Even if you do not specifically have a family member or loved one lost in battle or duty, take a moment and offer a word of gratitude for the thousands of men and women you DON’T know who died so we could have our patriotic celebration in freedom.