What's the big deal with Memorial Day?

by Ryan Vermilyea

When you first think about Memorial Day, a wide variety of images come into your mind: cars racing around an oval track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, smoke billowing from a grill out by the pool, the mass exodus of students leaving school for summer break. Unfortunately, the real reason for the holiday often gets lost in the anticipation of all the activities we plan. Unless we’re careful, Memorial Day can easily be reduced to just another long weekend spent at the lake or by the ocean.

The history of Memorial Day
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day had its inception way back in the 1860s. Initially, the purpose of the holiday was to remember and honor the soldiers killed in the Civil War. Over time, though, the time of remembrance was broadened to include anyone who had been killed while serving in the armed forces.

When Americans began commemorating Memorial Day, May 30 was the designated date for the holiday. Beginning in 1971, federal law changed the celebration from a fixed date to the final Monday of the month. In doing so, lawmakers created an annual three-day weekend. Since then, Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been attributed as the unofficial beginning of the summer season.





Commemorating Memorial Day
If you are wondering how you can properly observe Memorial Day, here are a few suggestions:
Check to see if your city or ­community has any type of celebration or parade planned for Memorial Day. Most towns schedule a special program or event at a specific time to remember those who have died in combat. If there is no such event planned near you, make time to watch one of the national programs on TV.

Join with Americans across the country in observing the National Moment of Remembrance. At 3 p.m., stop whatever you are doing for a moment of silence to quietly honor the memory of the fallen soldiers. This would be a good time to pray, thanking God for the brave men and women who have served our country faithfully and bravely. As you remember their sacrifice for you, thank God for the gift of His Son, because Jesus’ sacrifice made a way for our salvation.

Search online to find a Veteran’s Cemetery near you. If it is close enough, take a trip there around the Memorial Day holiday. Many times, cemeteries have grave sites that are marked as belonging to military veterans. Take a few flowers with you to place on the graves of fallen soldiers, even if you don’t know them.

Pray for the families who have recently lost loved ones in battle.

In conclusion
In the past, I have found myself thinking that Memorial Day was only about those who gave their lives in wars that ­happened before I was born. Maybe you’re like me. But we need to be reminded that there are soldiers who have sacrificed their lives already this year. The significance of Memorial Day is not limited to a group from a certain decade or time period.

Simply put, it is about remembering anyone who has ever given up life so that our country and its citizens might be free—to worship God without fear, to pursue whatever career we desire, and to spend our holiday watching the Indy 500 or grilling out with friends. Praise the Lord for our troops who have stood and fallen—and for those who still stand daily in harm’s way.