Loosing the true spirit of Memorial Day?

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 and was first observed on May 30, the same year, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1880, the day was observed by all northern states, but not recognized by the southern states until the holiday was changed from just honoring those who fought in the Civil War, to American's who had died fighting in any war, after World War 1.

I believe that over the years, Memorial Day's meaning and spirit has faded from public consciousness. By hearing most of my friends over the past couple of days, I'm getting the feeling that America is more concerned with having a three day "holiday" weekend than honoring those who have fallen. I just want to yell at them! "Don't you realize that we owe those dead men more than we could ever repay?!"

It makes me sad when I think about how many graves of our fallen are left forgotten or neglected. I think it should be a requirement of our schools and businesses to adopt some of these graves of our soldiers to bring back some of the meaning of this "holiday" that gives you your free day off from work. Memorial Day shouldn't be considered a holiday. It should be a day of mourning, because of what the day represents, it should make every other day of the year a holiday, a day of celebration.

By passing the National Holiday Act of 1971 - the Act that ensured a three day weekend for this federal acknowledgment - Congress has contributed to our nonchalant observance of Memorial Day. The only step that I've seen in an attempt to revive some of the solemn spirit back to Memorial Day is "Moment of Remembrance", a memorandum from Bill Clinton, which encourages everyone to spend at least a minute at exactly 3pm, in honor of our veterans.

Portland is having a Memorial Day parade at 10:30 on Monday morning, ending in a Memorial Ceremony. South Portland is having a parade at the same time followed by a wreath laying ceremony at noon at Bug Light. Remember our fallen, for all that they have done for our great country.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

- Moina Michael