NYC Red, White, and Blue: A Memorial Weekend Skyline

¿Happy? Memorial Day

A few hours ago someone said to me, “Happy Memorial Day!”  But is it really a “happy” day?

Memorial Day has its origins in Decoration Day, first celebrated during the Civil War in the 1860s to commemorate fallen soldiers.  It was not declared an official federal holiday until 1967.  Memorial Day is supposed to be a day to remember the men and women who died defending our Nation…

We celebrate with barbecues, heavy drinking, and totally awesome sales, which in my opinion, have nothing to do with remembering and paying tribute to fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day is one example of a great American holiday gone wrong. I don’t know whether commercialization or ignorance is to blame.

What I do know is that it feels wrong to me to spend Memorial Day drinking, partying at the beach, and shopping for the best deal on a new car or shoes.  I am not going to chastise those who choose to spend their day this way, but please remember why you have the day off to do so.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have sacrificed their lives so you can have your Budweiser and BBQ Chicken.  So next time you want to say “Happy Memorial Day” to someone, stop and remind yourself what Memorial Day is really about.

Photograph:
NYC Red, White, and Blue: A Memorial Weekend Skyline (5/27/12) New York City, NY, USA. Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Sigma EF 15mm Fisheye. ISO 100. 15mm f/2.8 1.3s
© Adam Scott Wandt.

Twitter: @Prof_Wandt