Memorial Day's Memories

Every year on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day, we close our banks, federal offices and many other businesses in celebration and reflection of the soldiers fallen to protect our country.  Some may not remember that Memorial Day was once known as Decoration Day (I remember-but then I am old).  Decoration day began during the civil war among freed slaves and other Black American families, as a celebration of both black and white Union soldiers who fought for liberation and justice. The gradual name changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which did not become more common until after WWII, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. During the 20th century Memorial Day was extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.  Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visited the graves of their deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they had served in the military or not. 


In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday BIll, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. 


The change in when we celebrate Memorial Day, with a long week-end, changed the face of the holiday.  It has become a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race (which my husband plans on watching today).  Personally I feel that by changing the date for the sake of a three-day week-end has diminished the very principle of the day.  Many Americans have developed a nonchalant observance of this day, seeing it only as an opportunity to have some extra time off from work.  The holiday has become watered down over the years and with exception of perhaps a soldier and his family, few honor this holiday as it was intended.


This morning, after my hospital rounds, I visited our own Fort Scott National Cemetery.  I have a son-in-law, Josph Lister, buried there December 2, 2003, having been killed in action in Iraq November 20, 2003.  As I visited Joe, filling him in on news of the family, I took the time to walk about the others that surrounded him.  Each traditional National Cemetery grave marker is honored with a small American Flag.  Some graves are also decorated with flowers from friends and family members.  As I walk among these American heroes, I cannot help but give thanks to these men and women for their dedication and sacrifice in helping keep us and others free.  Free--the key word in the meaning of this holiday, began in celebration of soldiers who fought for liberation (freedom) and justice in the Civil War and a tradition of all future soldiers to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Fort Scott National Cemetery