Memorial Day

“Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.” – Wikipedia

This holiday certainly comes with a mixed set of emotions for many people in America.  For most it’s a time to get together with friends and family for a weekend BBQ.  Many others mourn their loved ones lost in combat.  Then there is a great number of people that want to remember and uphold the memories of all soldiers that have sacrificed their lives for the sake of the United States.

In recent years I’ve paid close attention to peoples opinions of Memorial Day. Most recently in fact I saw a photo shared on Facebook depicting a woman at the side of a grave, sobbing.  Beneath the photo it says “So you thought Memorial Day was all about your 3 day weekend?”

As much as I can understand this position, it also makes me think.  Was their sacrifice not for the very freedom to have that three day weekend?  I won’t get into politics here but I believe that the soldiers that served and now serve our country believe that they fight to sustain the freedoms that we have here in America.

In this regard I say that Memorial Day can certainly be a day where we honor and remember the fallen.  One way for us to do that is to have that BBQ with friends and family. Because we CAN.  You can have a moment of silence, raise your beers in toast, whatever you feel is necessary.  The point is that we can still epitomize memorial by enjoying our freedom with the awareness that it is in tribute to those individuals. I’m sure that is what those men and women would have wanted us to do.

Thanks to all that have given up their civil liberties so that we may have ours.

Have a great Memorial Day, everyone.