In the United
States, Memorial
Day, which occurs
each year on the
last Monday of
May, represents a
holiday in which
we recognize the
sacrifice of our
(
more)
In the United States, Memorial Day, which occurs each year on the last Monday of May, represents a holiday in which we recognize the sacrifice of our fallen military service members. In early rural America, the custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves was usually performed in late summer and was often an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, America's need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent, as ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers' graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.
Originally known as Decoration Day by many, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1967. The day upon which it is celebrated was changed in late June of 1968 by Congress when they passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This moved the observance of Memorial Day to the last Monday of May.
Most Americans quietly reflect on heart-felt stories and memories of fallen service members. Some were acquaintances. Some were friends. Some were family members. All are our heroes.
Grantham University suggests some ways you may want to remember our nation's valiant men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Services. This Memorial Day, why not consider some of the following ideas:
1.) Put flowers on a fallen service member's grave.
2.) Clean up a neglected grave site of a fallen soldier.
3.) Educate Your Children about Memorial Day. Reflect on Memorial Day with family members and friends. If you're a parent, think about discussing the holiday's history with your children. This can be challenging, based on the serious nature of the subject matter. Of course, be the judge of what your kids are comfortable processing. If appropriate, it can be a productive and enlightening discussion.
In honor of our country's service men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom, we say Happy Memorial Day.
May we never forget their incredible sacrifice!
References:
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http://www.when-is.com/memoria...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M...
http://www.almanac.com/content...
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data...
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