At RiserUnited, we believe in honoring the values that define our nation – courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Memorial Day offers a particularly poignant moment for reflection. It's a day that transcends barbecues and the unofficial start of summer. It's an occasion to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country.
The origins of “Memorial Day” can be traced back to the aftermath of the Civil War, a time of immense national healing and remembrance. The sheer number of lives lost demanded a formal way to honor the fallen. Initially known as “Decoration Day,” the practice of decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers became widespread.
One of the earliest documented commemorations took place on April 25, 1866, in Columbus, Mississippi, where women laid flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Another significant event occurred on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina, where newly freed African Americans held a ceremony to honor Union soldiers buried in unmarked graves.
Official recognition of Memorial Day is often attributed to General John A. Logan, who issued a proclamation in 1868 declaring, “The 30th of May, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers… the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country… and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
The observance eventually expanded to honor Americans who died in all wars. After World War I, the day became more universally known as Memorial Day. In 1971, the United States Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May, ensuring a three-day weekend.
While the long weekend provides an opportunity for leisure and spending time with loved ones, it's also a special time to remember the significance of the day. Memorial Day is different from the celebration of military service shown for Armed Forces Day, or expressing thanks to living veterans as on Veterans Day. Memorial Day is specifically dedicated to honoring those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
These brave individuals paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms and ideals upon which our nation was founded. Those quiet rows of white headstones in military cemeteries across the nation and around the world, stand as silent but powerful testaments of courage and commitment.
As we gather with family and friends this Memorial Day, let us take a moment to remember these heroes and share gratitude for what we have because of their sacrifice. Let us teach our children the meaning of this day, so their sacrifice is never taken for granted, and their legacy of courage and sacrifice can inspire and unite us.
— RiserUnited
