Every year on the last Monday of May, people across the United States of America celebrate Memorial day; a day full of beach visits, barbecues, and yard games. Although these activities are fun, Memorial Day is widely misunderstood as many people across the country only view this day as an extra long weekend away from school or work, but in reality there is a much deeper meaning to this special event.
The history of Memorial Day dates back to the years following the Civil War where the population of the US honored the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the military. This holiday was originally known as Decoration Day due to the common theme where people decorated the graves of fallen soldiers from the Civil War with flags and flowers. Historically, Decoration Day was renamed into what we know today: Memorial Day, because the USA wanted to recognize all of the soldiers that had fallen while on duty, not just those from the Civil War.
As Memorial day started to gain popularity through history, a tradition was created where ceremonies and parades were held to honor those who had fought bravely in order to protect our country. In today’s world, one of many Memorial Day ceremonies is held in Washington D.C where Harper Ewer, a sophomore at Hingham High School describes, “It was one of the most eye-opening events of my life. The ceremony truly showed me how much veterans mean for this country”.
Beyond parades for Memorial Day, there are other meaningful ways that everyone can honor veterans. A common method is to visit cemeteries and place flowers or flags on the graves of the fallen soldiers. Moreover, Winter Griffin, a sophomore at Hingham High School explains a past experience, “One time, I visited a cemetery on Memorial Day to honor the soldiers by putting flags on the grass next to their graves when I noticed someone on their knees, visibly mourning the death of a loved one. Although it took courage, I went up to them and offered a flag, and I believe this interaction not only shows that the country still honors veterans, but also that the struggle of losing a loved one isn’t something that should be handled alone”.
In the end, Memorial Day can be whatever you make it, but taking a few minutes out of your day to honor those who served, whether it’s buying poppies, a flower often associated with remembering veterans, or visiting a ceremony, it travels a long way in keeping their memory alive.
