by MaryannC

Created on: March 25, 2009   Last Updated: March 26, 2009

Why we celebrate Memorial Day

This is a day that no one should forget. This day is to honor those men and women who served there country proudly and gave their life. We celebrate this day in remembrance of all that they had sacrificed for us to live in a free country It has become a federal holiday where banks and post offices are closed. We celebrate with parades, picnics, and ceremonies. Flags are placed in all national cemeteries and flags are flown at half-staff from dawn to noon.

This remembrance started shortly after the Civil War with all is causalities. This was a way to show respect and honor to fallen soldiers. It first started in a small town called Waterloo, New York on May 5th 1868. That town started the tradition so it is claimed and it was proclaimed Decoration Day nationwide by General John A Logan. It was decided to move the date from May 5th to May 30th because they did not want to use the anniversary date of battle.

In 1882 an alternative name was decided and they called it Memorial Day. This day of remembrance did not become popular until after Work War II. In 1967 Memorial Day became the official holiday. It is sad that today most Americans do not acknowledge Memorial Day for what it really means, they just think of it instead as a day off of work or the beginning of summer and fun.

Abraham Lincoln during his Gettysburg speech had said "let this be the last measure of devotion their valor and sacrifice made possible our freedom, our values, our very own existence. Congress not to long ago passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, for Americans to pause one minute at 3:00 pm on May 30th and think of the soldiers who gave their lives for us.

The war casualties throughout our history are many and here are just a few starting with the Civil War.

Civil War 1861-1865

Battle Deaths-(Union) 140,414

(Confederate) 74,524

Spanish-American War- 1898-1902

Battle Deaths - 385

World War I-1917-1918

Battle Deaths 53,402

World War II-1940-1945

Battle Deaths 291,557

Korean War 1950-1953

Battle Deaths 33,741

Vietnam War 1964-1975

Battle Deaths 47,424

Gulf War 1990-1991

Battle Deaths 147

Irag War 2003-

Still climbing

Let us always remember our brave men and women who gave us the ultimate sacrifice, their life. So on this coming Memorial Day enjoy the picnics, the parades, and the others festivities but also take a moment and quietly say a silent thank you to all the men and women who lost their lives in battle.

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