Celebrating Memorial Day

Title: Celebrating Memorial Day

Article Date: May 24, 2018

News Type: World

Source: DogoNews

Summary: In this article by Meera Dolasia, she explains that on the last Monday of May is Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a holiday that honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. People also celebrate the people that served in the US army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the National Guard, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard and more.

The holiday started on May 30, 1868, when a man named General John A. Logan decided to declare a day of remembrance just for the fallen heroes. Soon, it became a national event. The Commander-In-Chief of the Grand Army hoped that this holiday would strain relations between the Northern and Southern states following the end of the Civil War (1861-1865). General Logan marked this occasion by placing American flags and flowers on the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers that were buried at a cemetery in Virginia.

The Northern states embraced the Decoration Day while the Southern states honored their fallen heroes on different days.  Only after after Decoration Day was extended to recognize service men and women killed in World War I did they acknowledge this holiday. However, some Southern states still celebrate another holiday, known as Confederate Heroes Day, to honor their Civil War heroes.

In 1968, the Congress declared what is now called Memorial Day a federal holiday and they moved the date to the last Monday of May. This allows Americans to enjoy a three day weekend. Some people consider it as the unofficial start of summer and take vacations, go to the pool, go to barbecues, and other things. Son now, on May 28, we celebrate Memorial day.

Hopefully this year, Americans will have a reminder of the main reason of this holiday in the form of temporary Memorial Day show or display at Washington D.C.’s National Mall. The mall is measured with 133 feet long and 8 1/2 tall. It is filled with 645,000 red poppy flowers, each one to honor every American service member who has died in combat since or after World War I. The guests who com to the “Poppy Memorial” will be able to dedicate digital poppies using on-site kiosks that are chosen and the people that are unable to come can pay their respects online. A person from from the US Navy that has retired called Admiral John M. Bird says,”To not forget. To recall and remember those who have sacrificed. That is the significance and purpose of Memorial Day.” So, on the last Monday of May, set aside the burgers and root beer and other stuff and take a minute to think about all of the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Personal Response: I chose this article because I thought it was interesting to find out about Memorial Day’s history. I think it had a cool history. I think people should always remember the people who dedicated their lives for our freedom. I think this holiday should always be remembered.

Tweet: Memorial Day has a very interesting history! Think about the brave men and women on the last Monday of May. #foxmeadowpride @dogonews – JJ

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!

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