by Darryl Brooks

Created on: April 17, 2009   Last Updated: April 22, 2009

Memorial Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States to commemorate U.S. men and women who have died while serving their country in the military. It is observed on the last Monday in May and was formerly known as Decoration Day. It was first observed following the American Civil War and was expanded after World War I to include casualties from any war.

There are many different stories about its beginnings, but the first official proclamation was in April, 1866 and was first observed on May 30th of the same year when flowers were placed on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. This practice is where the name Decoration Day came from, arising from the decorating and dressing up of military grave sites. People started calling it Memorial Day in 1882, but the name was not officially changed until 1967.

Many feel that the observance of this holiday has fallen over the years, although there are notable exceptions. One of the most noted is the placing of small American flags on the more than 260,000 gravestones in Arlington National Cemetery by the twelve hundred soldiers of the 3rd Infantry. There are other such traditions in other military cemeteries around the country. A parade is held on the day in Washington D.C. and several other cities around the country.

In December of 2000, a resolution was passed asking that Americans observe a Moment of Remembrance at three p.m. local time. Many feel this is a step in the right direction of returning this day to its original intent to honor those who have fallen in the service of their country. One bill has been introduced to return the date of observance to May 30th, instead of the last Monday of the month, giving the day more weight and hoping to restore the original tradition. To date, this bill has not passed.

Unfortunately, to many, this day is just known as the beginning of summer and many communities use it to kick off celebrations of summer and family outings in their towns. Many cities use this day to honor members of their police and fire departments who have fallen in the line of duty.

There are many who are trying to return the day to its original purpose and intent. There are several suggestions for ways in which individuals and communities can get together to honor these fallen heroes. Some of these suggestions are visiting cemeteries and placing flags on the graves of the fallen, visiting memorials, flying the U.S. flag and the POW/MIA at half mast, and observing the Moment of Remembrance.

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