Will Everybody Please Stop Making this Big Mistake on Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is an important American holiday that generally serves as the unofficial start of summer; but, it's not all hot dogs, tomato pie and horseshoes.  It's a serious holiday and there are some things that you just don't do.

Let's start with the saying, Happy Memorial Day.  Making that statement is clearly a mistake and could surely get you chewed out by a veteran or anyone for that matter.

Memorial Day is just that, a day to memorialize those who fought for this country and are no longer with us.  You wouldn't walk into a funeral and walk up to the family and say, 'Happy Funeral Day,' would you?  Memorial Day is basically the same thing.

Memorial Day was inspired out of the American Civil War when in 1865 a druggist from nearby Waterloo, NY brought up the idea of honoring those members of the military who lost their lives in service to their country by placing flowers on their graves.  The idea stuck and in May of 1966 Congress adopted a resolution proclaiming Waterloo the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Congressional Resolution:

"Resolved that the Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, NY, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day..."

 

Other communities have laid claim to the birthplace of Memorial Day; but, President Johnson made it official on May 26, 1966 when he signed the order into law.

Author note:  While there's nothing wrong with enjoying family outings and barbecues on Memorial Day, it would be nice to take a little extra time to attend a Memorial Day service, a parade or bring flowers to a fallen hero's gravesite.  We owe these Americans a great deal of respect, especially when there are so many service men and women risking their lives around the world protecting our freedom.