An American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, it honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it started in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.
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I remember watching the local American Legion honor guard leading the parade through my hometown’s downtown. The high school band would play several songs from John Sousa. At the end of the parade, people would choose to go home or go to the city cemetery. My family would pile into the car and go to the cemetery.
The entrance at the cemetery there was a lane of flags, and all the veteran’s stones would have a flag.
At the veterans’ section of the cemetery, we would gather and listen to prayers, speeches, and the twenty-one gun salute to the fallen.
A casket, a dead soldier and a lament from a war long ago (Opinion)
My cousin’s father was part of the honor guard. He’s a Korean veteran.
After, the prayers, speeches and gun salute, we would pile back into the car and go to my aunt’s house. Because she had the biggest backyard (a double lot), the reunion/party was located there. And someone (usually a cousin) would fire up the grill. My cousins could have their own zip code, because there were so many of them.
While the grill was warming up, we would play volleyball. There were so many people (fifteen or twenty on each side, (I told you I had numerous cousins) on the playing field, that the ball never hit the ground. Only when it when out-of-bounds.
The menu would be potluck, with hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats for the main courses. And for side dishes, it would be the usual. Baked beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, raw veggies with dip. Anything that was served cold. The kids had lemonade, iced tea, or soda for their drinks. The adults would have beer in addition to the lemonade, iced tea, or soda. I would bring potato salad mixed with something called an India relish. (a green tomato based relish. It’s great way to use green tomatoes). I would let it marinate for 6 months to a year before using it. It’s like wine, it gets better with age. So, when I would make my potato salad, the relish is over 6 months old. Delicious.
My Memorial Day was a combination of remembrance to those fallen in the defense of our country and a family reunion with the veterans in our families in our midst.
As a side note, even though my mother wasn’t a veteran, she did her duty during WWII. She was a clerk in Washington D.C. She would type the translations of Japanese code (at that time, the code was broken), and give the translation to a “clerk”. Usually a captain.
She told me this near the end of her life. I believe she was a heroine for stepping up to do her duty for our country.