Don't get me wrong, I will be enjoying sunshine, family and the sumptuous taste of a char-grilled burger myself, but it is important that I, and all of us who are Americans, stop and REMEMBER what Memorial Day actually IS and why it is commemorated.
Somewhere through the years, many Americans have lost touch of WHAT significant holidays in our history MEAN.
There is nothing "happy" about Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the day in which we REMEMBER the men and women who DIED while serving our country.
Memorial Day has become lost in the ridiculousness that was created when Congress, on June 28, 1968 signed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which officially took effect on January 1, 1971. This act moved holidays such as Memorial Day, George Washington's birthday (remember him? The "father of our country" whose birthday REALLY IS FEBRUARY 22ND), Labor Day (now celebrated the first Monday in September), and Columbus Day (Columbus Day USED to be on Christopher Columbus's REAL BIRTHDAY, October 12th, but is now celebrated the second Monday of October). The act was officially designed to "increase the number of 3 day weekends for federal employees."
Well, "isn't THAT special?"
Thankfully, July 4, (Independence Day), has remained unscathed.........
So while I, and many of you, are enjoying this time with friends and family, take a moment, STOP and REMEMBER the reason this day exists.
Happy Meowrial Day!
ReplyDeleteWe are all so grateful for the sacrifices of our armed forces.
So, so true. The solumn meaning of this day has sadly been lost.
ReplyDeleteI will remember today.
ReplyDeleteWe WILL remember. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
you are welcome and thank you!! xoxo
DeleteHappy Meowrial Day !
ReplyDelete"Meowrial" Day...love it! Leave it to YOU Puddy! xoxo
DeleteGreat post and so true. It's the same in the UK. Everything is just an excuse to eat and drink as much as people can and most haven't a clue about history or what it is they are meant to be celebrating.
ReplyDeleteHappy Memorial Day!
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Thank you Marie! I always wondered if it was the same in the UK or just a "problem" here lol. xoxo
DeleteLove your message Caren. I think there are a lot of holidays that we've lost touch with the true meaning of. Thanks for the reminder :) Hope you enjoyed your extra long weekend.
ReplyDeletethanks so much Ann! I couldn't agree with you more, this is just one of a long list! Hope you enjoyed your weekend too!
DeleteMeez posted tu. Meez hates dat ow holidays hav nuffin' tu du wiff what deys posed tu anymowe. Of couwse meez will pop by Sammy's but mommy won't be havvin' gwilled burgews and beew. Wees pweshate those dat sewved and continue tu sewve ow countwy tu giv and keep ow fueedums.
ReplyDeleteLuv and Hugs and Kitty kisses ♥♥♥
Dezi
I agree with you and couldn't care less what day of the week it falls on. All holidays are meant to honor or remember someone or something but most people just see them as a chance to party. That is very evident on Cinco de Mayo where it is celebrated most heavily in America where most people do not know what it means or thinks it is the Mexican Independence day. If true southern "rebels" knew why we celebrate it here in America, they would not participate.
ReplyDeleteThen there is Christmas which is not about gift giving, Thanksgiving which is not about eating lots of turkey and Easter which is not about getting eggs from a large bunny. Oh, did I mention Holloween?
Chuck...WELL SAID!! I couldn't have said it better myself! I say celebrate the days on the DATE that it is supposed to be celebrated and to hell with 3 day weekends. It really upsets me. I only knew about Cinco de Mayo because I had googled it this year......otherwise I would never have known why the holiday is celebrated.
DeleteNice one Caren and we should all remember and pay tribute to all those who have given so much. Have a great memorial day and a marvellous Monday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Thank you Molly and yes we should! You have a marvelous Monday too!
DeleteThank you for saying what I have been thinking in my head. :) You are so smart.
ReplyDeleteSOMETIMES I am!! lol! ((((hugs)))) and thank you!
DeleteLovely post, Caren. The true meaning of this holiday is easily lost in all the "other stuff."
ReplyDeletethank you Ingrid and I was falling victim to it too......then it started to gnaw away at me on Friday.
DeleteGreat post and we certainly agree with you. We do remember all those that fought for us, animals and peoples. Take care.
ReplyDeletethank you Marg and (((hugs))))
DeleteCaren, your words are so true. We do sometimes overlook the true meaning of this holiday. I'll wish you and your family a Happy Memorial Day and say a huge THANKS to anyone in your family that served or is serving to protect our country. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Mason, I know I often do too (not intentionally), and this year it wouldn't stop tugging at me. I wish the same for your family and we say THANK YOU to those who served too. Thank you! xoxo
DeleteThank you Caren for a eye opening, kick in the shins( just to get our attention of course) beautiful post.
ReplyDeletePlease include All Veterens, don't anyone leave out Korea vets, saying it was only a conflict or Vietnam Vets either!!
Connie you are most welcome. I did include EVERYONE who has served our country...living as well as those who gave their lives in service. I didn't limit to any particular war :)
DeleteSo very true.....and we do honor those who have served our country bravely on this day and EVERY day......for us it's not only to honor them, but to enjoy special time with our family and friends making new memories to compliment the old.......and being grateful that thanks to the brave and true of the past, we HAVE a country to enjoy in freedom!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sammy and his Mom
That was a great message, and so very true. Even though the holidays are different here in Canada, it goes the same as it does there. Thank you for sharing your message today. I remember.
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
@Jenna (((hugs))) thank you. I often wondered if the UK and Canada changed the days of their significant holidays too?
DeleteWe will remember our heros today and every single day.
ReplyDeleteA very meaningful post, Cody & Caren.
ReplyDeleteMemorial Day has always been something special in our family. Sure, there are cookouts, picnics, potato salad and fun... I remember though that my mom would always have one of those little paper poppy flowers. My dad would put up the flag next to our front door. Though he rarely talked of his war experiences, he would take a moment to remember his fallen comrades. "The boys," he would call them. "The real heroes."
xoxo
GG
Thank you GG, Katie and Waffles. I thought of your Dad when I wrote this (I remembered you mentioning that he had served)....and my sister-in-law's father-in-law who served during Pearl Harbor (in Kauai) he always used to tell me about it. I also remember as a little girl that my family always hung the flag by our front door too..........don't see it as much these days and that makes me sad. xoxo
DeleteUnfortunately, we have lost the true meaning of many of our holidays. We have so much and so much to be thankful for, it's good to be reminded to reflect on that and all the people who made it possible. We wish you a Happy Memorial Day!
ReplyDeleteOf course it would be ridiculous to celebrate the fourth of July on the 7th or the 2nd, but I'm surprised Congress didn't change that one too.
Oui Oui you are soooooooo right!!! About July 4th....shhhh....don't give 'em any ideas lol! xoxo
DeleteSo true. I blogged about the meaning at both my blogs (with and without pets) It's important to never forget the roots of holidays.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caren - for taking the time to remind everyone about this important holiday and it's true significance. In addition to the party attitude that seems to overshadow honoring the true meaning, it drives me crazy that people don't even bother to get it straight that it's to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice -- not ALL veterans. I get that we want to honor them all, but that is just not what today is for. Although i saw someone comment on FB somewhere that it was to honor both....unless someone changed the intent of this holiday somewhere, uh - nope!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Kim and Thank YOU!!! That is what "Veteran's Day" is ....Memorial Day and Veteran's Day are totally different, you are sooo right!
DeleteCaren we agree. We cannot leave with a Happy Memorial Day, not when it's such a solemn day really. Terrific post.
ReplyDeleteWe honor those heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Country, especially today with our deepest gratitude for allowing us the freedoms all Americans have today.
♥Annabelle♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥
♥Angels Abby & Grace♥
Thanks so much Angel Abby, and we echo your sentiment! xoxo
DeleteWell said Caren and so true! Here in Canada, I think of our fallen heroes often not just on one special day. When I look at the rest of the world I am grateful daily for those heroes whose lives have been given up or compromised in order that I and my country continue to thrive.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a pleasure meeting you at Blog Paws, my only regret is that we weren't able to have a nice , long chat. I tried to pin you down but you were elusive ! Glad Karyn managed to find you in the end and had a little visit with you :)
the critters in the cottage and their Mama Sophie XO
thank you so much LP. OMG it was sooo nice meeting you too!! I know, I sooo wish we had been able to chat longer! Nooooooo I wasn't elusive! lol!!! We just weren't at the same place at the "right" time LOL!!! Yes, I am thrilled that Karyn found me too but wish that you had been there as well! Sending you much love! xoxo
DeleteWe thank and remember our heroes, family and friends, who served in the military. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Memorial Day :-)
Great post Caren and well said. I agree the meaning is lost is so many holidays. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteSue B
Well said, Miss Caren. We remember those that gave their lives in order for us to be free.
ReplyDeleteWell put. Grandpa went up to the cemetery and decorated our family graves. Mom is sick and stayed home with us. She has lost 3 young friends to war and 2 more to PTSD related issues. War is ugly but freedom is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMarty that is so special that your Grandpa did that. I am sorry your Mom is sick and I hope she feels better soon! I am also devastated to learn that she lost 3 young friends to war and 2 more to PTSD issues. My Mom watched something about PTSD yesterday morning and it broke her heart. So many veterans aren't getting the help that they need. It is heart breaking ((((hugs)))) to you all
DeleteIt's good to remember for what that special day exists : have a great Memorial Day ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteI watched the movie U-571 over the weekend. It is always good to be reminded of the people that fought for us.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, people often think of Memorial Day for the three day weekend and not what it's intended to serve. It's a very special day, great post.
ReplyDeleteI am often guilty of it myself and that is why it was gnawing at me.....thank you!
DeleteAn excellent post, Caren!
ReplyDeletethanks so much my furiends!!
DeleteWe're with you on this, Caren and Cody. It's nice to have a day off and all, but it's so important to remember those who have served and those who continue to serve our nation.
ReplyDeleteHappy memorial Day Cody, Dakota and aunt Caren :)
ReplyDelete...you look great with that hat ;)
Thank you for this wonderful reminder about Memorial Day. We had no idea that the holiday dates were ever any different than they are today! So crazy. We hope you all enjoyed your day of fun and remembrance.
ReplyDeleteSorry we are late commenting - Mom is playing major catch-up on blog reading! She is 4-5 days behind!!!
you are most welcome! You see, I know these things because I am OLD!! lol! I am old enough to remember how it used to be! Oh don't worry about being behind, I TOTALLY understand! It took me about 2 wks to MOSTLY catch up after BlogPaws and I am STILL not completely caught up! I resorted to hitting "delete, delete" :)
Delete