As Americans across the country gather with family and friends this Memorial Day, it’s important to pause and remember the true meaning of the holiday: honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

A Day of Remembrance

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom. While many see the long weekend as the unofficial start of summer — filled with barbecues, parades, and travel — at its core, Memorial Day is about reflection and gratitude for the soldiers who lost their lives in military service.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday began after the Civil War — a conflict that claimed more American lives than any other. In the spring of 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Union veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. He designated May 30 as the day to lay flowers and decorate the graves of fallen soldiers, regardless of whether they were Union or Confederate.

The date was chosen, in part, because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle, and it allowed communities across the nation to pay tribute without association to a single event. Over time, the observance expanded beyond Civil War soldiers to include all Americans who died in military service.

From Decoration Day to Memorial Day

It wasn’t until after World War I that the holiday became more widely recognized as a day to honor all fallen military personnel. In 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday by an act of Congress and placed on the last Monday of May as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, designed to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.

Today, Memorial Day is marked by a range of ceremonies and traditions. Flags are placed on veterans' graves, national cemeteries hold services, and at 3:00 p.m. local time, Americans are encouraged to participate in a National Moment of Remembrance to honor the fallen.

Why It Matters

In the hustle of modern life, it’s easy to overlook the significance of Memorial Day. But behind every flag-draped coffin is a story of bravery, of selflessness, and of deep commitment to something greater than oneself.

Whether you spend the day in quiet reflection, attend a memorial service, or simply take a moment to teach a child about the importance of honoring those who serve, the spirit of Memorial Day lives on in how we remember and give thanks.

This Memorial Day, let us recommit to remembering those who gave everything — and to ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten.