Memorial Day Commemoration

It is February 19, 1945. On the barren beaches of Iwo Jima, the defending Japanese army wait for the incoming US Marine V Amphibious Force. Upon landfall, the Marines faced heavy fire from Japanese blockhouses and could not advance. This persisted until a sergeant flanked the fortifications and single-handedly destroyed the enemy garrison. Sergeant John Basilone’s courageous actions led to the Marines securing the beachheads. Later on, while helping a tank to guide through a treacherous minefield, Sergeant Basilone’s exhausted body was shredded by a hail of enemy bullets. Basilone’s actions not only helped the Marines secure the beaches, but also signified his extraordinary valor in saving his companions’ lives. In the end, Basilone paid the ultimate sacrifice in saving countless lives on the gory beaches and leading the effort to attain victory. 

Memorial Day serves as a time to honor those like Sergeant Basilone who died while serving in our nation’s armed forces. On this solemn day, we remember those who have left behind their freedoms to protect our nation at home and abroad. 

HISTORY

The history of Memorial Day traces its way back to the Civil War. Ending in 1865, the Civil War resulted in the deaths of 620,000 troops on both sides. In 1868, Major General John A. Logan, who was head of a veteran’s association called the Grand Army of the Republic, declared May 30 as a day of tribute to the fallen. General Logan chose May 30 because flowers would bloom in many parts of the nation. May 30 was soon declared Decoration Day.

The first Memorial Day ceremony was hosted at Arlington National Cemetery. About 5,000 people attended and placed flags on the fallen soldier’s tombstones. This tradition evolved into a natural custom for many Americans lasting into modern times. Also, on this day, General James Garfield delivered a speech to honor the graves of 20,000 fallen soldiers. Afterward, despite each Northern state declaring Decoration Day as an official holiday from 1890 to WWI, southern states continued to honor their fallen on separate occasions. However, this changed over time. 

After the sinking of the Lusitania, the United States entered into WW1 in 1917. Following the Allied victory in 1918, the US suffered catastrophic military losses. Within a span of 19 months, 116,708 Americans were killed in the sordid battlefields of Europe. In these devastated regions, the red poppy was one of the first plants to emerge out of the destruction of war. Its seeds scattered in the wind and sat still in the ground, only germinating when the ground was disturbed. Poppies are a symbol of recovery and new life, especially in supporting veterans who suffered physical and psychological injuries. 

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This act established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. Three years later, the actual change occurred when Memorial Day was also declared a federal holiday. 

NUMBER OF THE FALLEN 

The number of fallen American troops in all wars is staggering. The total number is now over 1.1 million from 1775 to the present. A large portion of American troops killed was from the Civil War and World Wars. Civil War and WWII deaths numbered over 1 million. Most of these deaths occurred through direct engagement with enemies, friendly fire, disease, etc. For instance, WWI’s Meuse-Argonne Offensive (~46 days) resulted in 26,000 deaths, indicating that approximately 565 troops died every day. Other examples include 400k American deaths in WWII and 50k in Vietnam.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Many of our fallen heroes have sacrificed their freedoms so that we can appreciate ours. On Memorial Day, there are many things that you can do to remember and honor the fallen. These activities can range from monetary donations to watching movies. 

First, you can partake in volunteering and donations. For instance, you can send care packages to VA hospitals, build homes, or monetarily donate to non-profit organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. 

Second, you can participate in hands-on activities such as creating sidewalk murals to thank our troops, flying an American flag at home, and making American-related crafts. By doing these things, you can show your love and gratitude for the troops who protect our freedom every day. 

In addition, you can visit public and virtual sites to commemorate the fallen. This includes paying tribute to the fallen at cemeteries. Also, you can attend any Memorial Day concerts, parades, or shop at veteran-owned businesses. Also, you can wear poppies on your jackets or sweatshirts to commemorate the enormous sacrifices of our troops. 

Finally, I think that another great way to honor the fallen would be by watching movies and documentaries about our military. This can occur at family and friend gatherings and in theaters.  Movies include The Thin Red Line, Pearl Harbor, Saving Private Ryan, Patton, Hacksaw Ridge, Midway (1976), We Were Soldiers, Lone Survivor, American Sniper, and both Top Gun movies. Also, there are many great shows and documentaries to watch over the holiday weekend. These range from Band of Brothers and The Pacific to Vietnam in HD. By watching these movies, we can remember the countless miseries and sacrifices that our troops have faced. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Memorial Day serves as a unique time for Americans to commemorate those who have fought to preserve our freedom. During this time, we honor those men and women who sacrificed their fundamental freedoms so that we can cherish ours. Finally, we should live a life that honors the fallen heroes and make every day…Memorial Day.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them.” – President John F. Kennedy