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What does the Memorial Day Weekend mean? Does it mean we get together with family and friends? Are we just happy to have an extra day off from work? Do we go away for the weekend? Perhaps, we actually reflect on what Memorial Day actually represents.

Memorial Day is always celebrated on the last Monday in May. It is an American observance to honor our fellow men and women who died fighting for our beautiful, United States. It really is not about celebrating, but honoring those brave souls who died with nobility while serving in the armed forces. On this day we should honor our first responders, who lost their lives in dedication to their profession, as well.

I remember my maternal grandmother calling this long weekend, Decoration Day. Perhaps the significance of that name had to do with placing wreaths and ornamental offerings at gravesites of a beloved service member. As I became an adult, I realized it originated as observance after the Civil War and then the name was changed to Memorial Day in 1971; now observing all military branches and wars fought by our U.S. soldiers.

As this federal holiday of remembrance became known as Memorial Day, Americans started honoring our beloved lost military members by having some of the most enormous parades, continued placing wreaths on military gravesites, having outdoor family barbeques and closing business’s all marking this important, historical day.

On this Memorial Day, 2021, let us give thanks to all those heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. Let us keep their families in our thoughts, and be forever grateful that we live in the greatest country on earth.

God bless America,

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