Memorial Day

Memorial Day: Defending the American Dream
By Noel Brinkerhoff

We have a habit as Americans to get so wrapped up in the time-off from work thanks to holidays that we lose sight of why a holiday was established in the first place. Case in point: Memorial Day.

The point of Memorial Day is to remember the sacrifice by Americans, both men and women, who died while defending their country and the American way of life. But what most of us think of when it comes to Memorial Day is summer – the unofficial beginning of the season that the holiday has come to represent, thanks to the three-day weekend it provides and the chance to blow out of town and have some fun.

The truth is Memorial Day originally began in the 19th Century as Decoration Day, a holiday created after the Civil War to commemorate Union soldiers who died in battle. Decoration Day evolved into Memorial Day following the end of World War I, when it became a day of remembrance for the fallen of all wars that America has fought in. Officially, Memorial Day is May 30 of each year, but it is observed on the last Monday of May to accommodate our motorist urges to get out on a long weekend.

It is important therefore to remember the sacrifice millions have made on behalf of this country – to defend its principles, institutions and opportunities. One of the greatest things about America is economic freedom and the ability we all enjoy to make money, prosper, and grow financially. That’s why Memorial Day is truly such an important holiday – to honor not just the human sacrifice that has been made, but the freedoms we continue to possess thanks to that sacrifice.