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Written by Crystal Schwalger
It’s almost the end of May, and that means a very special day is almost here. I’m not talking about the last day of school or the first day of summer vacation. I’m talking about Memorial Day. For many people, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and a day off work to barbeque with family and friends. That which is supposed to be a day to remember and honor those men and women who fought and died for our country in wars has somehow been forgotten, regarding both why it was created and why we celebrate it.
Way back in 1866, approximately a year after the Civil War was over, four women gathered together to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers buried in Columbus, Mississippi. Noting the many graves of Union soldiers and how their families must also grieve, these women were moved by compassion to also decorate the fallen Union soldier’s graves. This gesture of humanity and reconciliation is now noted in the South to be the very first Memorial Day.
Although many other towns and cities across the South and the North claim that they had the first Memorial day, poet—and later judge—Francis Miles Finch was so moved by the gesture of these four ladies that he wrote the now famous poem, “The Blue and the Grey.” Nevertheless, in 1966, Waterloo, NY was declared by the U.S. government to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. It was so chosen because the town had started observing a remembrance of their fallen dead on May 5, 1866.
However, I would dare say that wherever the first actual Memorial Day took place is not really important. What is important is the reason behind it.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, observing the various memorials taking place, declared there should be a National Decoration Day that should be observed annually to remember the fallen dead from the war. The very first “officially” observed Decoration Day took place that same year on May 30 at Arlington National Cemetery. According to the White House records, this day was chosen because it was not the anniversary of any known battles of the war and also because it was the optimal day that flowers would be in bloom.
Today, this observance at Arlington still takes place with a wreath being placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In addition, a small flag is also placed on each grave in the cemetery, as well as other military cemeteries across the country.
What is interesting to note is that the name Decoration Day was gradually changed over the next 20 years to Memorial Day. Apparently there was some dispute as to what it should be called since it was known by both names in different parts of the country. Finally in 1967, the name Memorial Day was declared official. The change also includes the remembering of those who serve and died in any war, not just the Civil War.
In 1968, congress passed the uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved four major holidays—including Memorial Day—to a specific date in order to create a three-day weekend. In 1971, that date was declared law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and has been celebrated on that Monday ever since.
As can be expected, this change has not been appreciated by some veterans who claim that the constantly changing date undermines the meaning behind the holiday, creating instead a sense of indifference in the general public about Memorial Day. Their concern is somewhat justified, especially if you think about the amount of Memorial Day sales going on in just about every store and see all the smoke from backyard barbeques. For many, this holiday has become more about enjoying a day off as opposed to a day of remembrance. Former Hawaii senator and WWII veteran Daniel Inouye tried unsuccessfully for over 25 years to change the date back to the original May 30. He died in2012 still lobbying for the change.
Here in southern Utah, several different Memorial Day observances take place in various places. If you are interested in going to one in the St George area, you can find of list of activities online at http://veterans.utah.gov/events-calendar/. Other nearby cities such as Cedar City and Parowan hold their own observances at their cemeteries. If you are unsure of what is being held in your town, you can always call up your local city office to find out.
Wherever and however you chose to observe Memorial Day, I hope that for at least a brief moment you stop to remember and to be thankful for those who gave their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy and take for granted. I, for one, am grateful for their sacrifice and hope that we as a country can remember the past, honoring those who died, and building hope for future generations.
