Hometown Heroes...The True Meaning Of Memorial Day

Throughout the years, Memorial Day in the United States has traditionally become the “unofficial” start of summer. Family Gatherings, Picnics, barbecues, swimming pools, pancake breakfasts have become commonplace on the last Monday in May. There is nothing wrong with having an enjoyable time kicking off the summer months, however we must never forget the true meaning of this day, the honoring our countries heroes, the Military members who gave their lives so that we can have the freedom to enjoy the picnics, family gatherings and barbecues.

Memorial Day dates to the civil war in the 1860’s when it was called “Decoration Day”. It was so named for the tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers and flags and only honored Civil War soldiers. After World War I, the holiday took on a much greater meaning and later became recognized as Memorial Day.

The American Civil War represented an unprecedented conflict in the United States, and it claimed more lives than any other U.S. war. Many lost loved ones whom they sought to honor and remember, and people often showed their love by laying flowers on their soldiers’ graves. Communities gathered to mourn their losses, and this led to Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day.

"We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue."

….James Garfield

General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, was said to have been the one who started Memorial Day. He called for May 30th to become a National Holiday in 1868. By 1890, every northern state had made Decoration Day an official Holiday. Many say the ending of May was designated because that was when all the flowers were in full bloom. Remember our Hometown Heroes this Memorial Day.

The monthly Meeting of the “Parma Area Senior Veterans” meetup group will be a special tribute to Memorial Day with special guests and entertainment. Everyone is welcome to join us at The Donna Smallwood Activity Center in Parma on May 26th at 12:30pm. Follow us on Facebook at: parmaareaseniorveterans