Memorial Day is a solemn day for so many, and yet so many are still confused about what this day is really for.
How many times have you heard someone say, “Hey, it’s Memorial Day weekend. What do you say we fire up the grill, and toss the old shoes around? Maybe get in a good game of golf?”
Sadly, that’s not what Memorial Day is. It’s not national BBQ day. It’s not just a 3 day weekend to go out and party.
It’s a day to remember those who’ve fallen while serving.
It’s not a day to remember all veterans. That’s what Veteran’s Day is for.
Believe it or not, I had a guy come up to me and thanked me for my service. That’s fine and dandy, I’d rather he didn’t, but I told him not to thank me. Why? I said not to thank me yet because I wasn’t dead yet — unless he knows something I don’t.
Look, Memorial Day goes all the way back to the Civil War when it was referred to as Decoration Day when people would go out and decorate the graves of their loved ones who died while in military service.
So, as you are celebrating an extra day off from work, please take a second to offer a moment of silence for those brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Enjoy this poem by Henry W. Longfellow:
Decoration Day
Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry’s shot alarms!
Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon’s sudden roar,
Or the drum’s redoubling beat.
But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.
All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the Truce of God!
Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.
Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.