What are your Memorial Day plans? Are you planning a family picnic, a barbeque, or a day of fun in the sun? Having a three-day weekend is a perfect excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the start of summer. However, during celebrations it is important to think about the real purpose of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a time to think back and reflect on the men and women who have given their lives for our country. It is a time to think about the freedoms we have and to honor those who gave their lives for our nation. Memorial Day began in the south when groups of women’s organizations decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers with flowers, wreaths and flags. In the early days, the event was referred to as “Decoration Day.” The official Memorial Day holiday was proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, a national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The day was first observed later that month, on May 31, at Arlington National Cemetery. In remembrance of the lives lost, flowers were placed on the graves of union and confederate soldiers. More Americans participated in the day as they recognized the importance of Memorial Day, particularly after World War I. This tradition has continued since. Last year, President George W. Bush declared Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace. During his speech, the President reminded Americans “We can never measure the full value of what was gained in their service. We live it everyday in the comfort of peace and the gifts of freedoms. These all have been purchased for us.” While we work for freedom in Iraq, the power of these words should resonate with all Americans. President Bush continued his speech by looking forward. “Because this nation lives peace, we do not take it for granted. Because we love freedom, we are always prepared to bear even its greatest costs.” Losing the purpose Congress ensured a three-day weekend for all federal holidays with the National Holiday Act of 1971. Congress felt this would make it easier for families to celebrate holidays together. However, some feel this act took away the importance of Memorial Day. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) state, “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.” In order to restore some of the significance, last year President Bush implemented a national moment of silence. He hoped this would be a time for our nation to reflect. “Today, we honor those who fell from the line, who left us never knowing how much they would be missed. We pray for them, with an affection that grows deeper with the years. And we remember them, all of them with the love of a grateful nation.” Celebrate our nation’s freedom and remember fallen heroes One way to remember our fallen heroes is to participate in the local Memorial Day services. The first will be held at Kimball Elementary School. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 26. The event will begin with a flag ceremony and move indoors to a memorial service. Another service will be held in Kingston at 10 a.m. in Apostolic Lutheran Church’s cemetery. A Memorial Day parade will take place after the program. To honor service personnel, all flags should be flown at half-staff until 12 noon on Memorial Day. As a way to celebrate the significance of the holiday, two special programs will be run on television. PBS will air the “National Memorial Day Concert,” held in Washington D.C. This can be viewed on Sunday, May 25, from 7-8:30 p.m. The National Symphony Orchestra, country music group Lonestar and gospel legend Yolanda Adams – along with many others – will perform at the event. On the History Channel, a special “Memorial Day” program will be shown at 7 p.m. It will be entitled “Operation Reunion” and will honor veterans while celebrating the holiday. During your Memorial Day vacation, make sure to take time to remember those who have given their lives so we could celebrate this holiday. As President Bush said, “It is not in our nature to seek out war and conflicts. But whenever they have come, when adversaries have left us no alternative, American men and women have stood ready to take the risks and pay the ultimate price.” Don’t forget the sacrifices these men and women are making. Take a few moments of your holiday vacation to truly remember what Memorial Day is all about – someone else’s sacrifice for our freedom. Because of their service, we can live in our free nation.
