Fallen soldiers, veterans and current soldiers are honored yearly on a day we like to call Memorial Day. This day is filled with BBQ’s, pool parties, celebrations of different kinds all to honor our soldiers, veterans and fallen soldiers. Many know what Memorial day is but not so much the history of it. Who was involved in making it a national holiday? Why is it a national holiday?
Memorial Day was not always known as Memorial Day. Its previous name was Decoration Day. In the dark years of the Civil War and almost immediately afterward the communities in the North and South, Black and White soldiers had their graves decorated in floral honors in springtime “decoration days” which had just been certain days when communities would go out and decorate the graves of these fallen soldiers. On May 5, 1868 the Grand Army of the Republic had a politically powerful organization of Union veterans led by Major General John A. Logan. He had ordered general orders 11 which is better known as Memorial Day Act. This issuance had formally established “Memorial Day” as Decoration Day. This day was meant for the nation and citizens of the United States would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. In the early years of this national holiday there had been some argument about when and where the first gathering should be held. Not much is said about where the very first “Memorial Day” gathering was held but many fingers point towards the ladies of Columbus who were the ladies who fought for the right to be able to decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers. The first gathering is said to have been held in Boalsburg, PA.
General Logan and many others had contributed so much to the honoring of these fallen soldiers. Their contribution helped to be able to shine a light on those who gave their lives for this country. Memorial Day holds many meanings, remembering the fallen, honoring their bravery, praying for those in battle currently and even a mix of all of those. Many have different ways on how they celebrate memorial day. We asked some teachers at Hughson High how they celebrate Memorial Day and here are their responses.
Kameron Kroll was asked what he thought about Memorial day and how he celebrates it and this was his response. “I don’t really celebrate it but I definitely do acknowledge the day. It is very important to celebrate those who have served and have died for our country. “.
We also had the opportunity to ask Amy McAndrews what her celebrations are on memorial day as well as what she thinks about the holiday, this was her response. “Memorial day is one of the most sentimental holidays to me because of those lives that had been lost protecting this country. My family usually will have a BBQ and just spend a lot of time with each other”. Many people spend Memorial Day doing different things, some celebrate, others spend the day relaxing, some visit the resting place of their lost loved veterans and some do nothing. Around the United States there are families who face loss due to the wars around the world. We take this day to commemorate and remember those we have lost. This nation has gone far and it could not have been possible without the sacrifice from our veterans and current soldiers.
