Memorial Day

The more you learn about Memorial Day, the more interesting it becomes.  It was started by grieving mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters during and after the Civil War.  Independent gatherings were held in towns throughout America to help with the healing process.  It is interesting that these similar gatherings were occurring without the aid of mass communication or travel.  From this, in 1868 former general John Alexander Logan proclaimed that Memorial Day would be observed on May 30 each year to honor fallen soldiers.  The south, however, did not recognize Memorial Day until after WWI when it was changed from honoring those who died in the Civil War to honoring all American soldiers who died in any war.  As such, Memorial Day is more like going to a funeral than going to a party.  One thing I am still learning is that it could be considered inappropriate to say, “Happy Memorial Day”.  It may be better to say something like “I hope you have a nice Memorial Day”.  I just hope that people will forgive my political incorrectness when I happen to say, “Happy Memorial Day”.