Memorial Day is not about the barbecues, and it’s not about the sales and specials.
It originates in the years after the Civil War. In 1868, Union veterans declared “Decoration Day” as a day to honor those lost in the war by decorating their grave sites with flowers.
Close to half a million Americans lost their lives in the Civil War alone. Over 300,000 of these deaths were Americans who had fought for the preservation of the Union.
The bruised but intact republic that emerged from the carnage of the 1860s would eventually grow into the world’s most powerful nation.
As America healed and grew, it was valiantly defended by generations of American men and women in uniform, many of whom served in the most unforgiving of conditions — from the dank trenches of France to the jagged mountaintops of Afghanistan.
Among these service members are those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Since the end of the Civil War, over 500,000 Americans have died while in the service of their nation. Memorial Day is a day we devote to remembering them.
What began as a tradition to honor soldiers killed in America’s bloodiest war just over 150 years ago evolved into a day when we remember all Americans who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
In 1971, Congress officially established Memorial Day as a national holiday, to be observed on the last Monday of May.
In addition to remembering America’s fallen on this day, we should also remember their families and loved ones.
For every soldier, sailor, airman, marine or coast guardsman who has made the ultimate sacrifice, there is a family and community that endures the heartbreaking emotional toll of losing a brother, a sister, a father, a mother, community leader or lifelong friend. Memorial Day is a day we must keep them in our thoughts and prayers and recognize the sacrifices they have had to make.
This Memorial Day, set a moment aside to remember all of these Americans.
If you have a chance, tune in to the nationally televised Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony takes place at 8 a.m. on May 28.
Use the solemnity of this ceremony to reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy today, and that more than 1 million American service members who have died while safeguarding them for us.
Locally, you can also help remember their sacrifice by participating in Riverside National Cemetery’s “A Flag for Every Hero” event.
Beginning at 8 a.m. May 26, volunteers will help place flags at grave sites throughout the cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day.
In addition, both Los Angeles National Cemetery and Riverside National Cemetery are holding remembrance ceremonies that will be open to the public beginning at 10 a.m. and noon respectively on May 28.
No matter how each of us chooses to spend Memorial Day, let’s remember all the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives so that we could have the freedom to make those choices.
