It is finally here! The official start of summer begins with the three day weekend - Memorial Day. Barbeques, picnics, the beach, pool and summer vacations all await us over the next three months. Memorial Day is truly an American holiday where food, friends and fun reign supreme. Let the celebration begin as 28 million people travel to a get-together over the weekend. That's up 5% from last year. After two-plus long years of recession, it's heartening to see economic growth in any form.
Over the course of my lifetime, Memorial Day has taken on a significantly different role in the nation's psyche. It is no longer so much the recognition and acknowledgement of those who served in battle and conflicts over the past 150 years. It's less about parades and patriotism. It's become more about relaxing and letting loose.
Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, commemorates U.S. men and women who died in our nation's service. It was first enacted to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War; it was expanded after World War I. It was formerly observed on May 30th, but changed in the 70's to create the three-day weekend. Many veterans argue that this has led to the nonchalant and ambivalent observance of Memorial Day.
All of us have been touched by military veterans in one shape or another. My grandfather, father and father-in-law all served when asked by their country. My friend's brothers went to Vietnam. Who doesn't know someone who's done a tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan? It's now often as if we're falling into taking our freedom for granted again.
Will we see the flags on veteran's graves as we drive by cemeteries on the way to a party or the beach? How many people will proudly fly their flag? The tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon. Will we buy one of the poppies from the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars? Will we thank a veteran when we see one? We owe a lot to those who gave their lives so we can enjoy ours. Yes, we think it rationally; but do we live it emotionally by taking action?
In researching this post, I learned that as part of the Memorial Day celebration there is a National Moment of Remembrance. At 3 p.m. local time the remembrance takes place. It's a time for all of us to pause in national unity to give personal thanks by honoring those who served. The reason the 3 p.m. time was chosen is because that is when most Americans are truly enjoying the fruits of personal freedom on the national holiday. It demonstrates our gratitude and respect for those who died for our freedom since the founding of our Nation
If you want to be inspired over the weekend, tune into PBS on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. for the 2010 National Memorial Day Concert from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert focuses on three themes this year that touch a cross-section of our country - honoring the sacrifices, suffering and love of a new generation of young military widows and widowers whose spouses served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam; paying tribute on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War to the heroic service of the soldiers who fought and perished; and paying homage to the more than 125,000 WWI and WWII service members who did not come home but rest in 24 military cemeteries in the foreign lands where they fought for liberty. Having been to Normandy and walked the Utah and Omaha beaches, I stared in awe at the rows and rows of crosses marking the gravesites of American soldiers. I'm hard pressed to think of any place that moved me so emotionally. The concert at the Capitol affects me in the same manner. It will make you feel good about all that you have in a country where you are truly free. Take some time out this weekend and recognize our veterans, past and present. If you see a veteran, just say thanks, especially if they are family.
It's time that we all put "memorial" back into Memorial Day!!
Thanks Bill for the tip on the 3 p.m. National Moment of Remembrance. Sadly, you are correct about people forgetting what the day is supposed to be about. I have several veterans in and among my family, extended family and friends ranging from World War II to present day. And I believe that no matter what opinion you have of the politics of today, or of years past, those men and women who are risking, have risked and especially those who have GIVEN their lives for our country deserve our respect and gratitude.
As an elementary school student I travelled to Washington and we stopped at Arlington National Cemetery. To this day, I have a vivid memory of the endless rows of white crosses that stretched further than I could see and how amazing it was.
And the military honors given my grandfather at his funeral last year were incredibly moving. He would have been so pleased, and honored. As was I, on his behalf. It made me prouder than ever to be his granddaughter.
Rest assured, at 3 p.m. on Monday, I'll be taking a moment to remember what the day is all about.
Thanks again for reminding us all.