Kibitzer
Sky Soldier
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2011
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Memorial Day is a Federal Holiday for the purpose of honoring all who died during military service. It is a day to properly observe or commemorate, not celebrate (like Independence Day).
It began officially in 1868 in the aftermath of the bloody Civil War. Over two million had served in the Union Army and an estimated 260,00 died of all causes (and about 210,000 on the Confederate side).
It was called Decoration Day and a common observance was for townspeople to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. As time passed, this holiday of solemn remembrance changed, officially and in practice:
It became Memorial Day to be observed on the last Monday in May. As a result, that nice long weekend has come to represent the unofficial launch of summer (to end with Labor Day). The manner in which Memorial Day is observed varies widely from community to community, organization to organization, retailer to retailer, and even family to family. Services, sales, picnics weekend getaways, etc.
Here in Norwalk we will have our One Big Annual Parade. It is, frankly, a celebratory and patriotic event. We compensate by conducting a solemn memorial ceremony a week earlier (honoring all Norwalkers who died in military service, especially our two Medal of Honor recipients). Also, a 4th of July parade would be impractical (no school bands, fewer viewers and participants).
OK, Boneyarders, how will you observe or commemorate Memorial Day?
It began officially in 1868 in the aftermath of the bloody Civil War. Over two million had served in the Union Army and an estimated 260,00 died of all causes (and about 210,000 on the Confederate side).
It was called Decoration Day and a common observance was for townspeople to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. As time passed, this holiday of solemn remembrance changed, officially and in practice:
It became Memorial Day to be observed on the last Monday in May. As a result, that nice long weekend has come to represent the unofficial launch of summer (to end with Labor Day). The manner in which Memorial Day is observed varies widely from community to community, organization to organization, retailer to retailer, and even family to family. Services, sales, picnics weekend getaways, etc.
Here in Norwalk we will have our One Big Annual Parade. It is, frankly, a celebratory and patriotic event. We compensate by conducting a solemn memorial ceremony a week earlier (honoring all Norwalkers who died in military service, especially our two Medal of Honor recipients). Also, a 4th of July parade would be impractical (no school bands, fewer viewers and participants).
OK, Boneyarders, how will you observe or commemorate Memorial Day?