Computing Corner

Memorial Day is a federal American holiday, with significant meaning to the United States military and their families. Some may have heard the day referred to by its previous name, Decoration Day. Decoration Day was originally set aside to just remember Civil War soldiers. Memorial Day took its place; so we could remember and honor the U.S. men and women, who died while in serving their country in a military uniform.

Memorial Day History in the United States:

After the United States Civil War ended, many communities set aside a day of remembrance. This day served to mark the end of the war and honor all of the fallen soldiers. History cannot seem to pinpoint which of the communities held the first Memorial Day. However, the official "birthplace" of Decoration Day is Waterloo, New York, May 5, 1866. Other communities that held a Decoration Day were mainly around key battle areas such as: Richmond Virginia, Charleston South Carolina, etc.. However, the day of memorial was often incorporated into existing union and confederate holidays like: Decoration day -or- any of the Confederate Memorial days.

Decoration Day was officially asked to be observed ( nation wide) in May of 1868, by General John Logan. On May 30th, flowers and flags were placed on the graves of all Union and Confederate soldiers resting in Arlington National Cemetery. This was the first step toward a national day for all soldiers, that died in the Civil War. Though, it wasn’t until 1890 that all Northern states recognized the holiday. Many Southern states still refused to honor their dead on the same day as the North.

It wasn’t until after World War One that most of the South started to recognize the national day. This was after the date was unofficially rededicated to include World War One soldiers. However, many states retained their traditional days to remember the Confederate soldiers. The holiday calendar will still show these days. Decoration Day was first referred to as Memorial Day in 1882, but officially named Memorial Day in 1967. By this time, the holiday was no longer just to remember Civil War soldiers (as Decoration Day did,) but rather to remember all soldiers that died while serving their country.

Government agencies close for federal holiday's. Some businesses will also close for federal holiday’s. In 1968, the Uniform Holiday's Bill changed the traditional May 30th Memorial Day date. It was set to be the last Monday of every May. This was done so that American’s would have a three day weekend.

Modern Memorial Day Holiday:

The Memorial Day holiday is still observed by most businesses. This is mainly because of the three day weekend. Some American’s see the Memorial Day date as the beginning of the "summer vacation season." Some of the other holiday’s like: Veteran’s Day or President’s Day, are not observed very often. This is mainly because they may fall in the middle of the week.

Tradition’s such as: half mast flags, national monument ceremonies, flower and flag placement, and memorial visitation are still observed by some. A volunteer group places a flag on every grave in the Arlington National Cemetery each Memorial Day holiday. WW2 and Vietnam Vet’s will often visit a memorial, and still get very emotional about the loss. However, for many American’s, the holiday’s historic intention is often forgotten, or subsided by Memorial Day events like: back yard barbeque, picnic, Memorial Day “get away‘s,” or sporting event. Picnics will often be hosted in small town USA by a church or community organization, but again, the focus is usually on socializing….rather than observance.

Most of the veteran’s association’s cite the three day weekend as part of the reason the holiday is often not remembered in context. They claim that moving the Memorial Day date from its original date has under-minded the observance, and attention toward those who died for the country.

Indeed, Memorial Day events have led some astray. However, there are still many of us who dedicate the holiday to those who died for the freedom to have a BBQ.