KEEP THE ‘MEMORIAL’ IN MEMORIAL DAY – Voice Of The Township

This year Memorial Day comes as early in the month as it can, on Monday, May the 25th. The United States has been observing that holiday on the last Monday of May since 1971 when the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act” made several national holidays land on Mondays to give workers a three-day weekend. Before that Memorial Day came on May 30th.

I learned from the Veteran’s Administration website that Memorial Day or Decoration Day, an official day to remember those who died while in the service, started in 1868, a few years after the end of the Civil War. May 30th was chosen because that was the day when the flowers are at their best. John A. Logan, the Union general who established the holiday, ordered his posts to decorate soldier’s graves “with the choicest flowers of springtime.” Today, as in years gone by, many people observe the day by visiting cemeteries and memorials, and folks often place American flags on each grave site of a service member.  At three in the afternoon there is an official National Moment of Remembrance meant to encourage all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states, “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones, not just of veterans. We have a tradition in my own family of gathering together on that day and touring Lindenwood Cemetery, visiting the graves of our dearly departed family members buried there. Together we stand at each grave and remember and tell stories of those who have gone before us. I like to keep the ‘Memorial’ in Memorial Day by remembering all my friends and loved ones who have passed away. At our office we have fond memories of staff members and clients who have passed away, and I find that remembering them all becomes even more important to me especially as I get older.

Another Memorial Day tradition for me is participating in the annual parade held in Waynedale. This year will be my ninth Waynedale Memorial Day Parade, and my staff and clients from the Wayne Township Trustee Office and I will be marching. Along with the Waynedale Picnic later in the summer, this is a favorite event for me walking through the streets greeting and shaking hands with the smiling citizens of Waynedale. I’m looking forward to some beautiful weather that day to get out in and start the summer season.

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I wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day and hope to see you at the parade!