Should We Celebrate Memorial Day?
- Midwest Copywriting
- May 26
- 4 min read
Celebrate is the key question here.
People still seem to be confused about whether to celebrate Memorial Day. Sometimes I hear people offer greetings such as "Happy Memorial Day" or "Thank you for your service." Neither one is considered adequately appropriate on this day.
I think some confusion about celebrating Memorial Day and what to say comes from a place of good intentions. People do not mean to cause heartache by wishing a Happy Memorial Day. And, I think people are mostly unaware of the impact those words of celebration may have on others.
The puzzlement is somewhat understandable. We have multiple holidays related to veterans and military service – Memorial Day, Decoration Day, Poppy Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day, and Armed Forces Day.
So, let's look at these different days of military recognition to provide more clarity for each one.
Honoring Memorial Day
Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day. This observance of fallen soldiers came on the heels of the Civil War. This day was set aside to decorate the graves of our military loved ones and remember those who fought so bravely. [1]
After WWI, actions were taken to include fallen soldiers from all wars. But it wasn't until 1971 that Memorial Day was declared a national holiday. [1]
I remember my parents continuing to refer to this day as Decoration Day out of habit. They were devoted to spending the day traveling to local cemeteries to add flowers to graves.
Remembering Poppy Day
Poppy Day was a day started by The American Legion in 1920. The red color of the flower symbolizes the blood shed by soldiers. The day is recognized in May, very close to Memorial Day. It was originally started to remember soldiers who died during WWI. [2]
As a kid, I recall women in town selling poppy flowers made from crepe paper. Once the flowers were bought, people would pin them to the lapel of their shirt or coat. It was proudly worn as a symbol to remember our fallen soldiers.
I don't see much attention given to this day as a stand-alone remembrance now. It's pretty much meshed in with Memorial Day. The women who volunteered to sell the poppies are long gone. However, occasionally, a few legion members take up the cause.
I'm not sure our younger generation is even aware of Poppy Day.
Recognizing Veterans Day
Veterans Day is always recognized on November 11th each year. The people being celebrated and honored are America's living, former military veterans (although modern-day recognitions often include currently serving military members as well).
Yet, people still confuse Veterans Day (living military) with Memorial Day (deceased military).
Veterans Day began as a commemoration of WWI and was originally known as Armistice Day. The name changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day after WWII and the Korean War. [3]
Veterans Day was established as a federal holiday in 1938. This holiday is also recognized by other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand. In Canada, it's known as Remembrance Day. [4]
Celebrating Armed Forces Day
This is another recognition of living soldiers – those military members currently serving our country. The third Saturday of May is reserved for Armed Forces Day, which was brought forth by President Truman in 1950. President Kennedy made it an official national holiday in 1961.[5]
May includes Armed Forces Day, Armed Forces Week, Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day. As you can imagine, combining celebrations of living military members with the solemn recognitions of deceased veterans may very well contribute to the confusion of celebration suitability.
The Loss of a Soldier
As I state in my book, I do not have any firsthand experience of losing a son or daughter to military conflict – or any other military relative, for that matter. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families have my deepest respect.
Our freedom comes with a debt we will never be able to repay. For all who have served, and for all the families who give of their loved ones so generously, we thank you. We will never forget that we are the Home of the Free because of the Brave.
Take Time to Pause and Remember
It only takes a moment to pause and lift our fallen soldiers in prayer.
Prayers for all the courageous men and women who have served our country.
Prayers for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Prayers for their families.
When someone inadvertently says Happy Memorial Day, show grace. Who knows...maybe the celebration comes from remembering our fallen soldiers as family members, friends, and as the heroes they are.
Perhaps a gentle gesture of remembrance will help others recognize the significance of Memorial Day and the realization of heartache that some still carry after losing a soldier [6]
I encourage you to visit a veteran's cemetery or the grave sites of veterans at your local cemetery.
Wear a poppy.
Honor the fallen.
Resources:
[2] The Poppy Story
[3] Veterans Day
[4] Remembrance Day
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