Memorial Day

Lee had his first paid holiday today, Memorial Day. When contemplating what to tell him to do on with his very first paid day off, I thought about what it has become, “another day off”, to shop, eat, rest and maybe not even give a thought to where it came from and why.

Originally Congress believed that workers should not have to lose a day's pay to mourn, honor and remember the nation's fallen soldiers. In the 1880s, Union veterans lobbied Congress, saying that all citizens (not just veterans) had to sacrifice a day’s pay to participate in civic mourning eventually making "Decoration Day" a paid day off for federal employees. Eventually the entire Country, public and private sectors had off (although some Southern states were reluctant until after World War I, when the holiday was changed to honor those lost in all American conflicts). Memorial Day honors the over 1.3 million U.S. military personnel who have died in combat. Although it remains distinct from Veterans Day, which honors all veterans many people celebrate the bravery of soldiers, whether or not they died in combat, on both days.

It became a Monday holiday rather than always May 30 (in 1971) when moving the holiday to the last Monday in May created a 3-day weekend, helping the economy, by increased shopping/sales and prevented sick days (when it used to be on a Tuesday/Thursday people often would call in sick on the Monday/Friday) but hopefully not diluting the significance of the holiday.

Churches, synagogues, and mosques often have special services (often interfaith Services) during the long weekend featuring prayers for deceased service members, peace, and the protection of active troops. Jews (as we did on this ship - footprint has handout that was given out at Shabbat) sometimes say the Mourners Kaddish dedicating this prayer which praises God and offers comfort to the grieving, to be specifically for the memory of fallen soldiers. Many Catholics hold special Memorial Day Masses praying for the souls of the departed and Protestants often use formal prayers for the nation and peace incorporating the presentation of the American flag by a color guard during worship too. The traditions vary be religious organization and Community.

In all the ways you remember this day, don’t forget its purpose.Read more