For many, Memorial Day was just a day off work and a chance to get together with family and friends for the unofficial start of summer. The purpose of the holiday, originally called Decoration Day, was to honor and remember those who lost their lives serving in our armed forces.
The holiday was not lost on me when I was honored to attend the Aisle of Honor Ceremony at Parkway Cemetery. This was the first of two services to pay homage to Kosciusko veterans, with the other on Veterans Day in November.
The entire ceremony was extremely moving, from the veterans walk to open the ceremony to the flag retirement by the American Legion Post 44 of Kosciusko.
In our fast-paced lives, it is important to take time and remember those who gave it all for our country.
However, in this day and age much of the original intent of the holiday is lost with some people. I wonder how we moved from a day dedicated to honor and remember to a day that is now known more for sitting around a grill.
Much to blame for this is the commercialization of the holiday from businesses around the country, as well as The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. This act changed the official observance of four “date-driven” holidays, including Memorial Day, to create a three-day weekend.
Honoring our veterans should take place much more than just two days a year. I would greatly encourage everyone to always remember the men and women serving in our armed forces that have fought and continue to fight for the freedoms that we cherish.
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Joseph Brown is the editor and publisher of The Star-Herald
