Isn't it ironic that Memorial Day has evolved to the type of celebration it is today? What was originally designated as a remembrance of the soldiers who died in defense of the Union during the Civil War was later expanded after World War I to include men and women who became casualties of any war or military action in which the United States of America engages. Originally called "Decoration Day", the proclamation declaring the holiday to take place on May 30 each year spoke of the those honoring the dead taking the choicest of spring flowers to mound up on their grave sites.
Some of the changes which have taken place to this holiday observance have been natural. This would include the inclusion of all military conflict casualties up to and after World War I. Following World War II, this celebration was commonly known as Memorial Day, replacing the original Decoration Day name. In 1968, a year after "Memorial Day" was officially adopted, the observation date for Memorial Day was changed to provide "convenient" three-day weekends in conjunction with holiday observations. The other two holidays were Veterans' Day and Presidents' Day which was created in lieu of celebrating Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's birthdays, both occurring in February. (Since that time, the observation of Veteran's Day has been restored to its original date and is observed on November 11 each year. If Veterans' Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the official federal holiday is observed the following Monday.)
Of course, a number of Memorial Day traditions have developed surrounding the holiday celebration. The Indianapolis 500 traditionally took place on Memorial Day, May 30 or the Monday observances since 1968. In more recent times, the race now takes place on the Sunday preceding the Monday observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Parades, picnics, barbecues and memorials of all kinds now take place on this holiday. We human beings have a way of conveniently changing things to meet our needs. I believe that I could state unabashedly and without reservation that the majority of Americans under age 35 have little or no idea regarding the origins of the Memorial Day holiday and its intents.
Isn't it ironic that it became necessary to make our observation of Memorial Day "convenient"? As a result, instead of reminding us of those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom and the freedom of others around the world, many now consider Memorial Day as the "official beginning of summer", "the start of the barbecue season," and a time for sporting events. One major veterans' group and a significant World War II veteran serving in the United States Senate have advocated returning Memorial Day to its original date of May 30. Then, of course, it would no longer be convenient except for those years when the date fell on a Monday or was observed on a Monday due to falling on Saturday or Sunday.
Why do memorials or remembrances have to be convenient in the first place? Perhaps if they weren't convenient we would actually take time to pause, remember, reflect and consider the true meaning of the holiday and what it signifies. Many churches have adopted Memorial Day as a religious remembrance of all who have died in the faith. Still other people feel obligated to take flowers to the grave of beloved family members on or before this holiday. While it has certainly created a boon for florists, plastic flower makers and cheap looking styrofoam or plastic cross memorials, it further blurs the original significance of a Memorial Day celebration.
During my tenure as a Lutheran pastor, Memorial Day was perhaps the most uncomfortable day in my ministry each year. It always seemed ironic to me that churches which sought every avenue to make themselves distinct and separate from secular society would so embrace a secular holiday and turn it into a reason for a worship service. While I always understood the military ceremony at the cemetery and the request to have an invocation, prayer, Scripture reading and benediction, I could never make the connection to celebrating a worship service on Memorial Day. There are other church holidays and festivals already set aside to remember those who have gone on before us.
Thank you to all the men and women who have died in service to their country fighting for the freedom or our land or the freedom of others. Happy Memorial Day!
Some of the changes which have taken place to this holiday observance have been natural. This would include the inclusion of all military conflict casualties up to and after World War I. Following World War II, this celebration was commonly known as Memorial Day, replacing the original Decoration Day name. In 1968, a year after "Memorial Day" was officially adopted, the observation date for Memorial Day was changed to provide "convenient" three-day weekends in conjunction with holiday observations. The other two holidays were Veterans' Day and Presidents' Day which was created in lieu of celebrating Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's birthdays, both occurring in February. (Since that time, the observation of Veteran's Day has been restored to its original date and is observed on November 11 each year. If Veterans' Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the official federal holiday is observed the following Monday.)
Of course, a number of Memorial Day traditions have developed surrounding the holiday celebration. The Indianapolis 500 traditionally took place on Memorial Day, May 30 or the Monday observances since 1968. In more recent times, the race now takes place on the Sunday preceding the Monday observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Parades, picnics, barbecues and memorials of all kinds now take place on this holiday. We human beings have a way of conveniently changing things to meet our needs. I believe that I could state unabashedly and without reservation that the majority of Americans under age 35 have little or no idea regarding the origins of the Memorial Day holiday and its intents.
Isn't it ironic that it became necessary to make our observation of Memorial Day "convenient"? As a result, instead of reminding us of those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom and the freedom of others around the world, many now consider Memorial Day as the "official beginning of summer", "the start of the barbecue season," and a time for sporting events. One major veterans' group and a significant World War II veteran serving in the United States Senate have advocated returning Memorial Day to its original date of May 30. Then, of course, it would no longer be convenient except for those years when the date fell on a Monday or was observed on a Monday due to falling on Saturday or Sunday.
Why do memorials or remembrances have to be convenient in the first place? Perhaps if they weren't convenient we would actually take time to pause, remember, reflect and consider the true meaning of the holiday and what it signifies. Many churches have adopted Memorial Day as a religious remembrance of all who have died in the faith. Still other people feel obligated to take flowers to the grave of beloved family members on or before this holiday. While it has certainly created a boon for florists, plastic flower makers and cheap looking styrofoam or plastic cross memorials, it further blurs the original significance of a Memorial Day celebration.
During my tenure as a Lutheran pastor, Memorial Day was perhaps the most uncomfortable day in my ministry each year. It always seemed ironic to me that churches which sought every avenue to make themselves distinct and separate from secular society would so embrace a secular holiday and turn it into a reason for a worship service. While I always understood the military ceremony at the cemetery and the request to have an invocation, prayer, Scripture reading and benediction, I could never make the connection to celebrating a worship service on Memorial Day. There are other church holidays and festivals already set aside to remember those who have gone on before us.
Thank you to all the men and women who have died in service to their country fighting for the freedom or our land or the freedom of others. Happy Memorial Day!
~ DB Turnmire
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