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Memorial Day 2022

May 24th, 2022 by Kenneth Abrahams

Over the years, I have penned several blogs about Memorial Day. Memorial Day or Decoration Day, as it was originally called, started in 1866 when communities nationwide took a day in late May to decorate the graves of men that had fought and died in the Civil War. Over time, several states made the day a holiday and in 1968 the Federal government passed a law that made it a national holiday. It was not celebrated nationally until 1971. Until I did research on this several years ago, I knew precious little about the holiday. I knew that it was primarily celebrated in the north but didn’t know that one of the earliest observances was at Fort Sumter in South Carolina where the Civil War began. Many states originally celebrated Decoration Day on May 30th. They chose this day because no Civil War battle is associated with that date. For many years, it celebrated soldiers that died in the Civil War but after World War I it was expanded to include soldiers that had died in any war.

For many, it is a truly somber weekend. Families will gather and make their way to the cemetery to visit and honor a loved one. They will kneel before the graves of sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, all of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. They may still have or attend a cookout, but the day holds a deeper meaning for them. Stories will be shared about those they have lost, in some cases letting young kids learn about a parent that they may never have met or gotten to know. There will be laughter mixed with tears, a roller coaster of emotions.

For others, it is simply the unofficial start of Summer and not much more than that. It is the day when many pools north of the Mason Dixon line open, water parks and beaches in many parts of the country begin their seasons and the day is celebrated coast to coast with backyard barbecues. Walk around your neighborhood that weekend, if the weather is good, the smell of charcoal, burgers, hot dogs, and sausages will fill the air. Everybody’s favorite pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw and mac and cheese recipes are on display. Of course, coolers are overflowing with juice boxes, lemonade, sodas, and a wonderful selection of adult beverages. It is a weekend that has seen many winter diets go out the window.

Every year on this day, I stop and remember the sacrifices that all those men and women have made. I never had the discipline to be in the armed forces, but I respect and appreciate those that have chosen that path. I sleep much better knowing that they are out there doing a job I can’t see myself ever doing. Their sacrifices have made the freedoms possible that are often taken for granted. If I forget to say it later, thank you all.

This year will be a bit more somber for me as more than a week before the Memorial Day Holiday the US hit a sobering mark; the COVID death toll hit one million deaths since the pandemic began. We can argue about whether the pandemic is real, and we can agree or disagree with the statistics provided but one thing is clear, a lot of people have perished in the last 24 plus months, many before their time. Some were old, some had pre-existing conditions, some didn’t seek treatment early enough, but it is hard to blame any of them for their untimely deaths. I will take a few minutes on May 30th this year to remember them and to think of the loved ones that they left behind. First responders, people in the medical professions, and teachers will also be in my thoughts. COVID has been hard for everyone, but those above-mentioned groups seem to have been hit the hardest.

Yes, this blog isn’t particularly uplifting but honestly, I feel very lucky. We live in a country that allows free and open discussion on a number of topics including whether COVID 19 is real. Unlike in other parts of the world, people here can opt not to wear a mask, get tested, or get the vaccine. As individuals we may not be tolerant or respectful of those with different opinions, but we are allowed to express a differing viewpoint.

As you spend Memorial Day Weekend, hopefully having some fun, take time to reflect on those that have helped make this country what it is today. Enjoy the weekend with family and friends and have a great summer.

About the author:

Ken Abrahams is the chief blog writer for FUN Enterprises, Inc. Not bad for a guy who once had a college professor tell him that if he ever learned the first thing about reading and writing it was not evident from the paper he turned in.

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