Officially, today, Memorial Day 2023, is a time to remember and honor all those who fought and died for this country.
Yes, it may be the unofficial start of the summer, a time for picnics, festive parades, and family travel. And, for many businesses, it’s a day to advertise their “Memorial Day Sales”.
However, since its beginnings after the Civil War, Memorial Day — or Decoration Day as some still call it — is about taking time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for this country.
James A. Garfield, a former Union general and an Ohio congressman at the time delivered a speech on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. In part, he said:
“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”
Those words remain true today, these many years later.
So enjoy your day off — if you have one — and take a moment to say a silent thanks to those who fought and died for this country.
If you are on the road, here are some veteran’s memorials around the country you could visit:
- African American Veterans Monument in Buffalo, New York
- Memorial Arch in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
- U.S. War Dog Memorial in Holmdel, New Jersey
- Liberty Memorial and World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri
- National D Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia
- Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial in San Diego, California
- Revolutionary War Monument in Lexington, Massachusetts
- Armed Forces Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia
- USS Alabama Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama
- Indiana World War Memorial and Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana
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