![]() ![]() ![]() But in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. ![]() Between 18 it’s estimated that 620,000 Americans perished, “approximately equal to the total of American fatalities in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, combined.”Īccording to the website, “For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date General Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. The loss of life in the Civil War was astounding. Decoration Day was started to remember the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. It’s a time to be with family and to remember that we who are here today are so very fortunate to be living in the United States of America and to thank the men and women who fought and died for us.įrom what I have found, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. More than the kickoff to summer and a chance to grill. Silent prayers of gratitude will be passed up to the heavens. Some will bow their heads with tears in their eyes remembering family members who served and who have since passed. Twenty-one gun salutes will sound out throughout the land. Solemnly, bugle calls will signal “lights out” with patriotic overtones. Orators of different skill-sets and timbre will deliver heartfelt speeches. The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and America The Beautiful will be sung. In some communities white crosses will be put up in parks to represent the sons and daughters who lost their lives during our times of conflict. They will pull weeds, brush off dirt, plant flowers and place American flags. They will search out and tidy up the graves of those who served in the US Armed Services. This weekend all across these fruited plains, scouting groups, service organizations, veterans and volunteers will head out to their community cemeteries. They died so that we may enjoy the freedoms so dearly prized by peoples across this globe. This weekend we remember those who paid the supreme sacrifice while in service of our United States of America. May 29, the last Monday in May, is Memorial Day. This weekend, known to many in America as the official beginning of summer with a three-day weekend, is really something more somber. ![]()
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