Memorial Day Acknowledging its history, and honoring our fallen…

Photo credit: emanphoto

Written by: Attorney Bobbie Anne Cox

These past few years, as so many of us have been battling against the gripping forces of globalism, socialism, and totalitarianism that evil-doers continue to push here on American soil, I find myself putting a growing emphasis on Memorial Day each year. Ofttimes I fear that too many Americans just view this holiday as a carefree, three-day-weekend that allows them to celebrate the unofficial start of summer with friends and family at a BBQ or outdoor picnic. But this could not be further from the truth, for Memorial Day is not a day of celebration at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This day is, in reality, a humbling day of remembrance and immense gratitude to those who gave so much of themselves so that our country would have the ability to thrive. They died so that we can live, and live freely. This holiday is meant to be somber and full of reflection. The significance of Memorial Day is so crucial to our nation’s continued survival that I feel compelled to write and share its history and development.

Photo credit: emanphoto

The meaning of Memorial Day is sacred, as it is the day we have set aside to honor those Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice and died while serving in our country’s armed forces. The holiday originated over 150 years ago during our Civil War, when people placed flowers on the graves of those Americans who had been killed in battle. They used to refer to it as “Decoration Day” because of the decorating of the graves of the deceased. In 1868, the day had its first national observance for our fallen soldiers. It wasn’t until after World War I that the name was changed to Memorial Day. Then, in 1971, Congress made Memorial Day a federal holiday through the passage of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which set the last Monday in May as the annual day of observance. Many Americans observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries where flags, flowers, and the like are placed on the graves of our fallen veterans. There are also parades and ceremonies to honor our brave military members who gave the ultimate price.