A recent Gallup Poll revealed that only 28 percent of Americans know the meaning behind the Memorial Day holiday. To many, the last Monday in May is little more than a day off, an opportunity to buy a car at a rock-bottom price, grill a burger in the backyard, or catch a few rays at the beach. Memorial Day is a big opportunity for racing enthusiasts too; the Indianapolis 500 has been held on the holiday since 1911.

In many ways our modern Memorial Day celebration is far removed from the original intent of its founders. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was instituted as a day of remembrance for those who died in our nation’s service. The holiday originated after the conclusion of the most terrible war fought on American soil—the Civil War. The four-year War Between the States resulted in an estimated 1,030,000 deaths—more than all other U.S. wars combined.

Memorial Day was formally proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. He declared it should be observed on May 30, possibly because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first observation was held in Arlington National Cemetery. Ceremonies were held at the Arlington mansion, once the home of General Robert E. Lee, and were presided over by a number of high-profile officials including General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant. Nearly 5,000 attended the first national ceremony. As part of the ceremony, flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers.

A few years later New York became the first state to officially recognize the holiday, and by 1890 all of the northern states followed suit. The South, however, didn’t acknowledge the holiday until after World War I when those fighting in any war, not just the Civil War, were honored.

The holiday is now celebrated in nearly every state on the last Monday in May, though several southern states also have separate days for honoring Confederate war dead.

Somewhere along the line, the focus of the Memorial Day holiday has shifted from being one of remembrance to one of recreation. Whether or not we agree with the concept of war, it is our duty to honor the fallen.

Gary Kurpius, former commander of the 2.4 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), made these remarks in his message, “The Meaning of Memorial Day”: “Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to remember the service and sacrifice of more than one million American service men and women who gave their lives to create our nation, to save our Union, and to help free the world from tyranny.” By honoring our nation’s dead, we not only acknowledge their sacrifice, we also preserve their memory.

A staggering number of U.S. military personnel have died as a result of armed conflicts around the world:

• World War I: 116,516;

• World War II: 418,000;

• Korea: 36,516;

• Vietnam: 47,413;

• Iraq: 4,251 (as of March 1, 2009).

Many of us take the freedoms we enjoy for granted, but those freedoms have come at a very high cost—brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so we would have the honor of living in the greatest nation on earth. One need only visit a veteran’s cemetery and see row after row of white crosses to grasp the gravity of that sacrifice. Those souls gave their all so we could have the right and the freedom to enjoy the American way of life.

In many places, however, the traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years: the graves of the fallen are neglected and proper flag etiquette is not followed. While Memorial Day parades were once commonplace, many communities haven’t held them for decades because of poor attendance.

There are a few notable exceptions, however. For nearly 50 years, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3^rd U.S. Infantry have placed small American flags at the 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery each Thursday before Memorial Day. They then patrol the park 24 hours a day throughout the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. Since 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis have placed flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Many people take the opportunity to make an annual pilgrimage to the gravesites of their loved ones. While the holiday is a great reminder to do so, it was set aside specifically to honor war dead, not all dead. Part of the reason for the misunderstanding is that many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is for remembering those who died as a result of injuries sustained in battle. Veterans Day was created to thank all those who have served in the military, whether during time of war or in peacetime.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in December 2000. The idea was born when children touring the nation’s capital were asked by the director of the White House Commission on Remembrance what Memorial Day means. They responded, “That’s the day the pool opens.” In the resolution, Americans are called upon to observe a minute of silence each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time as an act of national unity.

Here are some other ways to commemorate Memorial Day:

• Visit a cemetery and place flags or flowers on the graves of veterans.

• Visit memorials (Vietnam, Korean, World War II, and local memorials).

• Fly the flag at half-staff until noon.

• Fly the POW/MIA flag.

• Make a pledge to aid disabled veterans and the loved ones of fallen soldiers.

• Attend a parade or other commemorative ceremony.

• Wear a VFW Buddy Poppy.

Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity for Christ followers to spend time thanking God for our freedom and for the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform to protect those freedoms, including the freedom to worship.

Believers also have a special responsibility to honor the fallen as well as those currently in military service. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Men and women in uniform in active combat zones put their lives on the line every day to uphold our Constitution and fight for the cause of democracy around the world.

The greatest gift we can bestow upon our military brothers and sisters is to pray for them—for protection and for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We should also pray for the peace and provision of their loved ones at home.

Regardless of political views, Christians should pray for our Commander-in-Chief and the leaders of our military. First Timothy 2:1, 2 says, “Therefore I exhort, first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (New King James Version). It is our duty to lift our leadership up in prayer so they have discernment and wisdom when handling the critical matters of war and national security.

Celebrating Memorial Day the way it was intended is a responsibility and a privilege. Before you bring out the lawn chairs on May 25th, take a moment to contemplate the gift of freedom. Those who have sacrificed their lives have earned it. |L