Here is what former President George H.W. Bush said in 1992: “Whether we observe the occasion through public ceremony or through private prayer, Memorial Day leaves few hearts unmoved”.
Advertisement
Some states also celebrate Confederate Memorial Day, during which they honor fallen Confederate soldiers.
Many people across America think of Memorial Day as the official start of summer; a day to kick back, fire up the grill and enjoy a day off of work.
The sobering truth is that Memorial Day is for remembering those men and women who have died while serving our country. It became an official U.S. Holiday in 1968.
In 1868, the leader of the Northern Civil War veterans, General John A. Logan, declared that May 30 would be Decoration Day “designated for the goal of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion”, according to History.com.
The National Moment of Remembrance Act was enacted in 2000. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service hosted the ceremony.
“Yet as we protect freedom by courage in arms, we shall every day continue the search for an honorable peace”. After the war, a day was set aside – “Decoration Day” – to remember and to pay tribute to soldiers’ ultimate sacrifices. The U.S. flag is raised to the top of the staff and then lowered to half staff, where it stays until noon.
The half-staff position honors those who gave their lives in service to our country.
So, between today’s barbecues and other outings, take a moment to remember that more than 650,000 Americans have died in battle since the Revolutionary War, including those who have died in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of conflict. Tully served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1968 and participates in the Memorial Day parade every year.
Advertisement
“To have this come at a later date to give us honor to our fallen comrades of us who served it’s just absolutely fantastic, and I’m so proud of Idaho for stepping up and putting this memorial”, Thomson said.
