Memorial Day: History, Significance, and Ways to Honor the Fallen

Lois D - Editor Columnist

Celebrated on the final Monday of May, Memorial Day is a somber American celebration honoring the men and women who passed away serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day has great meaning derived from the history of the country, beyond the barbecues and retail sales linked with the event. This day asks Americans to stop and honor those who lost their lives to guard the liberties we take for granted now. Other National Holiday’s

Memorial Day’s History Beginning as Decoration Day

Memorial Day began in the years following the Civil War, which killed more American lives than any other war in American history. As the country struggled with unheard-of death, the custom of decorating troops’ graves with flowers and flags started unofficially in many localities, both North and South.

Leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a Union veteran group, General John A. Logan issued General Orders No. 11 on May 5, 1868, designating May 30 as a day “for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.” Today started to be known as “Decoration Day.”

“Let no neglect, no Ravages of Time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

– General John A. Logan, eighteen years ago

General James Garfield (later the 20th U.S. President) gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery during the inaugural national observance on May 30, 1868, when participants adorned the graves of Union and Confederate troops with flowers.

From Local Tradition to National Holiday

Every Northern state had formally declared Decoration Day as a state holiday by 1890. But until after World War I, when the celebration changed to remember American military troops who died in all wars, not just the Civil War, southern states kept honoring their dead on different days.

After World War II, the moniker “Memorial Day” progressively took over from “Decoration Day” and proliferated in the 1960s. The official celebration of the holiday began in 1971 when Congress approved the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, therefore designating Memorial Day as a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May.

Unbelievably, Although several towns assert that Memorial Day originated in their hometown, in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson formally declared Waterloo, New York, as the holiday’s birthplace. First celebrating the day on May 5, 1866, Waterloo conducted a community-wide celebration when businesses closed and citizens embellished the graves of troops.

The Significance of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is unique among other patriotic celebrations in that it is a day especially honoring those who gave their final lives in military service. Memorial Day is set aside for commemorating those who died while serving, unlike Veterans Day, which commemorates all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This difference is significant since it emphasizes the actual cost of freedom and the great sacrifice made by generations of American service people and their families, therefore directing the national attention.

One Day of National Unity and Thoughtfulness

Memorial Day is a time when Americans come together to recognize common ideals of service, sacrifice, and country loyalty transcending political differences. The festival urges residents to examine how they could respect that sacrifice in their own life and stimulates thought on the values for which so many have lost their lives.

Memorial Day is especially important for military families who have lost loved ones since it marks the country’s shared loss and sadness. Their country remembers and values the sacrifices made by their loved ones.

“For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made everlasting their patriotism and their virtue.”

— James A. Garfield, Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day speech 1868

Memorial Day Traditions

Flag Etiquette

On Memorial Day, the American flag follows a specific protocol. It is raised briskly to the top of the staff early in the morning, then solemnly lowered to half-staff until noon, symbolizing remembrance. At noon, the flag is raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day, representing the resolve of the living to carry on the fight for freedom.

Cemetery Visits and Decoration

One of the oldest and most meaningful traditions is visiting cemeteries to decorate the graves of fallen service members with flowers, wreaths, and American flags. Many families use this time to clean and maintain gravesites, ensuring their loved ones’ final resting places are treated with dignity and respect.

In national cemeteries across the country, volunteers place American flags at each grave before Memorial Day weekend—a powerful visual reminder of individual sacrifice.

Parades and Community Events

Memorial Day parades featuring military personnel, veterans’ organizations, and marching bands remain a cherished tradition in towns and cities nationwide. These events often conclude with memorial services at local cemeteries or monuments.

National Moment of Remembrance

In 2000, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance, encouraging all Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to remember those who died in service to the nation.

Wearing Red Poppies

The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day was inspired by the 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. The poem describes poppies growing among soldiers’ graves in Flanders, Belgium. The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after American teacher Moina Michael campaigned for its adoption.

Visiting and decorating military graves
Participating in local parades and ceremonies
Observing the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m.
Flying the American flag at half-staff until noon
Wearing red poppies as symbols of remembrance
Attending memorial services at national cemeteries
Playing “Taps” at cemetery ceremonies

Modern Memorial Day Observances

While Memorial Day’s solemn purpose remains unchanged, the way Americans observe the holiday has evolved over time. Today, the holiday weekend often balances remembrance with celebration, marking both the sacrifices of the fallen and the unofficial start of summer.

The Memorial Day Weekend

For many Americans, Memorial Day weekend includes gatherings with family and friends, outdoor activities, and barbecues. These celebrations can complement rather than replace the holiday’s purpose when they include moments of remembrance and gratitude.

Balancing Celebration and Remembrance

Many families incorporate both celebration and remembrance into their Memorial Day traditions. This might include visiting a cemetery or attending a memorial service in the morning, followed by a family gathering later in the day. Some families make a point of discussing the service of family members or the meaning of the holiday during their celebrations.

Travel and Tourism

Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, with millions of Americans taking advantage of the three-day weekend. Popular destinations include beaches, national parks, and historic sites, including military monuments and museums that offer special Memorial Day programs.

National Observances

Several significant national observances mark Memorial Day, drawing attention to its meaning and providing opportunities for Americans to participate in collective remembrance:

The National Memorial Day Concert – Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, this televised concert features performances and tributes honoring the sacrifice of American service members.
Arlington National Cemetery Ceremonies – The President or Vice President traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater.
The National Memorial Day Parade – Held in Washington, D.C., this parade features veterans from all service branches, active duty military units, youth groups, and more.

How to Honor Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day

There are many meaningful ways to honor the memory of fallen service members on Memorial Day, whether you have a personal connection to the military or simply wish to acknowledge their sacrifice.

Visit a Cemetery or Memorial

Take time to visit a local cemetery, particularly a national cemetery if one is nearby. Many hold special Memorial Day ceremonies. Even if you don’t know anyone buried there, you can pay your respects to those who served.

Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

Pause at 3:00 p.m. local time for one minute of silence to honor those who died in service to the United States. Encourage others around you to join in this national act of unity.

Support Gold Star Families

Gold Star Families are those who have lost a loved one in military service. Consider donating to organizations that support these families or simply reaching out to any you know personally.

Educational Activities

Memorial Day offers an opportunity to learn about American military history and the individuals who shaped it:

Research Your Family’s Military History – Explore whether any of your ancestors served in the military and learn about their experiences.
Visit a Military Museum – Many museums offer special exhibits and programs for Memorial Day.
Read About Service Members’ Experiences – Books, letters, and firsthand accounts can provide insight into the realities of military service.
Watch Historical Documentaries – Many streaming services feature documentaries about American military history and specific conflicts.

Volunteer Opportunities

Giving your time can be a meaningful way to honor those who gave their lives:

Help Place Flags at Cemeteries – Many organizations coordinate volunteers to place flags on veterans’ graves before Memorial Day.
Participate in Cemetery Cleanup Events – Some communities organize efforts to clean and maintain military cemeteries.
Support Veterans’ Organizations – While Memorial Day honors the fallen, supporting living veterans honors their comrades’ legacy.

Join the National Moment of Remembrance

On Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time, pause for one minute of silence to honor those who died serving in the U.S. military. Set a reminder on your phone and invite others to join you in this national act of unity and remembrance.

Set a Reminder

Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day: Understanding the Difference

Americans sometimes confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but each holiday serves a distinct purpose in honoring those who have served in the U.S. military.

Aspect	Memorial Day	Veterans Day
Who is Honored	Service members who died while serving in the U.S. military	All who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, living or deceased
Date	Last Monday in May	November 11 (regardless of day of week)
Origin	Civil War (originally Decoration Day)	World War I (originally Armistice Day)
Typical Observances	Cemetery visits, flag at half-staff until noon, moment of silence at 3 p.m.	Parades, ceremonies thanking living veterans, flag at full staff
Tone	Solemn remembrance and mourning	Celebration of service and gratitude

Understanding this distinction helps Americans observe each holiday appropriately and ensures that both the fallen and living veterans receive the recognition they deserve.

Memorial Day Quotes and Poems

Throughout American history, writers, poets, and leaders have captured the meaning of Memorial Day in powerful words that continue to resonate. These quotes and poems can be shared during Memorial Day observances or used for personal reflection.

Quotes Honoring the Fallen

“The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.”

— Minot J. Savage

“Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.”

— Barack Obama

“They are dead; but they live in each Patriot’s breast, And their names are en-graven on honor’s bright crest.”

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Memorial Day Poems

One of the most famous poems associated with remembrance is “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, written during World War I:

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”

— John McCrae, 1915 (excerpt)

Another significant poem is “The Blue and The Gray” by Francis Miles Finch, written after the Civil War about women decorating the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers:

“From the silence of sorrowful hours
The desolate mourners go,
Lovingly laden with flowers
Alike for the friend and the foe;
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment-day;
Under the roses, the Blue,
Under the lilies, the Gray.”

— Francis Miles Finch, 1867 (excerpt)

Celebrating Memorial Day Responsibly

Many Americans view Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer, a time for gatherings, barbecues, and outdoor activities. While these celebrations are a cherished part of American culture, they can be balanced with the holiday’s solemn purpose.