Right in the midst of this pandemic, we have another holiday, Memorial Day, day for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces. It is not about the barbecues or the sidewalk sales or the trips to the beach or the baseball games that aren't being played, as nice as any of those things are. It isn't even a day for honoring all veterans. (We have a separate holiday for that in November). There seems to always be a bit of confusion, and I have written here about this a number of times. Today is quite specific though. It is for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.
Memorial Day was not the original name for the holiday. It was called Decoration Day when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem by that name way back in 1882. It was also once called Remembrance Day in some places.
Band concerts and parades a typical ways to celebrate. Religious services praying for those who died in service generally happen on this day as well, and of course visits to cemeteries. So whatever you are doing, take some time today to also remember all those who served in our military and who didn't make it home alive. It is their memory we honor today.
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