An Ode to Memorial Day... (a salute to our troops) Part II

A few years ago I wrote about my intense love affair with summer in a piece called, "Summer is my New Boyfriend".  Memorial Day marks the beginning of my love affair, but it is more than that. It is of course a national holiday.

According to Wikipedia Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

Given what has happened the past decade with terrorist attacks, economic turmoil and political tension, it is nice that we still are mindful of our country's values and those who fought so hard to protect all of us and our way of life.  Some people lament that Memorial Day and the other holidays have lost their meaning. I supposed that's true to a certain extent.  Most Americans will spend tomorrow with family and friends sharing food, drinks and memories. With every piece of chicken, glass of lemonade, and laugh they will be making new memories. And they will bask in the glory of being an American.

I think that is OK because that is really what all of the troops were fighting for.

Related articles

• Remembering nation's vets, even as Memorial Day's importance seems to fade (nj.com)