Growing
up Memorial Day was always a long weekend were we had picnics and put flowers
on all the graves of our loved ones. I never thought much about it and as I
grew up I learned many cultures have customs which include a yearly remembrance
of loved ones who have passed on, which is what I understood Memorial Day to
be.
It
isn’t.
It
isn’t about remembering veterans, now dead, who once served in the armed
forces.
Sorry
Dad.
Originally
Memorial Day, which was at first called Decoration Day, was a day to remember
those who had died in war. Eventually it was declared as a national holiday then
Congress made it the last Monday in May.
Over
time people have used Memorial Day to remember all their dead, which I have no
problem with. As I said, many cultures have customs to remember their deceased,
but don’t confuse remembering those who died in war with honoring all who
served who are now dead.
During
this month of May we had another holiday which very few people even mentioned.
If you want to honor those who are now serving our country, remember Armed
Forces Day. Officially it’s celebrated on the third Saturday in May each year.
To
remember those like my husband, father, great uncle, brother-in-law,
father-in-law and so many more who have served in the military at some time in
their lives, thank them for their service and decorate their graves on Veteran’s
Day, which is celebrated on November 11th of each year.
I’m
proud of the men and women in my family who have served. Let’s all remember
their days.
Smile.
Make the day a brighter day.
