Memorial: (n) that which preserves the memory of something;
any thing that serves to keep memory.
A monument is a memorial of a deceased person(s) or an event.
So then, with this definition from Webster's 1828 dictionary, we can assume that the purpose then of Memorial Day is to preserve the memory of those who have died defending our country.
But do we celebrate Memorial Day this way or do we just enjoy a three day weekend doing whatever we want?
I know for me, I don't always put the proper emphasis on the day.
In my family we BBQ hamburgers and watch old war movies, mostly WWII movies with John Wayne.
But is that enough?
I think to understand how to celebrate the day, we need to understand the history of the day.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.
Although many cities lay claim to it's origin, the most important thing to know is that it was started sometime after the Civil War as a way to honor the dead, on both sides.
General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Republic, officially proclaimed a "Memorial Day" on May 5, 1868 and it was first observed on May 30, 1868. Flowers were placed the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday. And by 1890 all the northern states did as well. In the south they honored their dead on separate days until after World War I; this is when we started honoring those who had died in any war, not just the Civil War.
Now Memorial Day is celebrated in almost every State on the lat Monday in May.
(Passed by Congress with the National Holiday act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays.)
Interestingly enough several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead.
The "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed in December of 2000, which asks that a moment of silence be observed at 3 p.m.
"To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps'".
There is more information on the history of Memorial Day but this the origin and a little bit of how to honor the day.
Below is our National Hymn, I hope you enjoy it!
Our National Hymn:
God of Our Fathers
Daniel C. Roberts and George W. Warren
God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
Thy love divine hath lead us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
Thy word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense ;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from light to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.
Amen.
I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day in which you remember those who have given their lives, that we might live in freedom.
