May 19, 2015 2 min read

The celebration of Memorial Day in the United States dates back to the Civil War. In 1868, General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

It was originally known as Decoration Day, and the date of May 30 was selected because it was not the anniversary of any particular Civil War battle.

In 1873, New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday.

It has changed over the years, in name and in date. Following World War I, the holiday expanded to honor fallen soldiers of any war, not just the Civil War. The National Holiday Act of 1971, passed by Congress, made it the last Monday in May and ensures a three-day weekend for federal holidays.

It has become a day of gatherings with family and friends and is viewed as the “official” start of summer. Picnics take place and pools open. We would bet that there are many people today who forget – or don’t actually know – what the day truly stands for.

So, we remind you that you wouldn’t be having picnics or a three-day weekend were it not for the sacrifices that were made for you so long ago, and especially recently.

Our servicemen and women are brave, they are heroes. Those who fell in combat gave their lives so that we can live in a free nation. Those who lived to see the end of the war – be it the Civil War, the Vietnam War, or more recently, Operation Iraqi Freedom – do not come home unscathed. Their wounds could be physical or mental, but they are battle wounds.

So as you slather on sunscreen, fire up the grill or crack open a beer this Memorial Day, take time to remember why you are afforded these opportunities.

And to everyone who has fought, to those whose family members have served – we say, thank you.