Weather permitting, today has always been a staple day to go outside and grill burgers and hotdogs for the family. Some families go as far as to travel to their local park to spend the day feasting and relaxing with their loved ones. There are those that get away for the weekend and go camping while others might go fishing. Some observe a National Moment of Remembrance while some visit memorials and cemeteries to honor the fallen.
Memorial Day originated from Decoration Day, which was created to pay tribute to the soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Today, it is a reminder of why we can enjoy the simple liberties that we often take for granted.
To quote an excerpt from an address delivered by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. on May 30, 1884:
“So to the indifferent inquirer who asks why Memorial Day is still kept up we may answer, it celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith. It embodies in the most impressive form our belief that to act with enthusiasm and faith is the condition of acting greatly. To fight out a war, you must believe something and want something with all your might. So must you do to carry anything else to an end worth reaching. More than that, you must be willing to commit yourself to a course, perhaps a long and hard one, without being able to foresee exactly where you will come out. All that is required of you is that you should go somewhither as hard as ever you can. The rest belongs to fate. One may fall-at the beginning of the charge or at the top of the earthworks; but in no other way can he reach the rewards of victory.” – CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ADDRESS
Let’s take a few minutes out of our day to remember why we can fish, or go camping, or feast with our families, and give thanks to and honor those who have perished in the service of their country.
