Remembering the Fallen

Why do we have a Memorial Day? Janet Parshall will explain the history of this day, in this week’s commentary.

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Episode Transcript

S1 (00:02):
Memorial Day weekend is often considered the opening weekend of summer,
but beyond the picnics and family gatherings lies a deeper
meaning to an important day of remembrance.

S2 (00:10):
Here to unpack present day issues from a biblical perspective
is Janet Parshall.

S1 (00:16):
Memorial day is an official federal holiday, established in 1971
to remember the men and women of the armed forces
who lost their lives while serving their country. The holiday
used to be called Decoration Day, and was originally set
after the Civil War to commemorate both Union and Confederate
soldiers who had died during that conflict. It was May 5th, 1868,
when the leader of a Union Civil War veterans group

(00:37):
called for a nationwide Day of Remembrance later that same month.
General John A Logan is reported to have said the
30th of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of
strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades
who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion,
and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village
and hamlet churchyard in the land. He called the date

(00:58):
Decoration Day because the veterans would be remembered without focusing
on any particular battle. General Logan's orders for his post
to decorate graves in 1868 with the choicest flowers of
springtime urged we should guard their graves with a sacred vigilance.
Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent
visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of

(01:19):
time testified to the present or to the coming generations
that we have forgotten as a people the cost of
a free and undivided republic. General James Garfield made a
speech at Arlington National Cemetery at the first Decoration Day,
and 5000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union
and Confederate soldiers buried there by 1890. Each of the
northern states had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. However,

(01:42):
many southern states honored the fallen on separate days until
after World War One. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform
Monday Holiday Act, establishing Memorial Day as the last Monday
in May. For years, Memorial Day traditions have included parades
decorating the graves of the fallen with American flags, and
a moment of silent remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
A way of putting the memorial back in Memorial Day.

(02:03):
This Memorial Day, let's display our flags. But let's also
consider practical ways to support our military families. Identify them
in your church or neighborhood and offer to babysit, cut
their grass, or bring over a covered dish. Listen when
they need someone to talk to, or just be there
when words fail to describe the pain of what they've seen.
Let's support our troops now and not only memorialize them
when they're gone. G.K. Chesterton eloquently reminded us of the

(02:26):
choice our fallen heroes had to make, a choice that
ultimately defined their true character. Courage, she said, is almost
a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live,
taking the form of readiness to die. Let's enjoy the
start of summer this weekend. But somewhere in the midst
of our celebrating, may we all take a moment to
remember those who poured out that last full measure of devotion.

(02:47):
That's my opinion. I'm Janet Parshall.

S2 (02:49):
For more information or to connect with us, go to.
In the market with Janet Parshall.