Memorial Day Weekend

Seems that everyone is all geared up for Memorial Day weekend.  There are parades, picnics, sales.  People travel all over the country.  They say the roads are going to be packed.  Folks are heading up north to open up the cottages.  There are fishing trips planned, golf to be played.  Others have yard work they are going to do.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.  It was established to honor the Union dead shortly after the Civil War. Southern women had long honored the southern casualties of the war, and different areas of the country had these traditions on different days of the year, but most of them were in May.  Since cemeteries were the parks of there day, soon people were honoring there deceased relatives whether they had died in  a war or not.  The term Memorial Day was first used in 1882, but was not made the official name until 1967.  It was  always held on May 30 until 1971 when congress decided to make it the last Monday in May.  Guess they liked the idea of a three day weekend more often than once every 7 or 8 years.

I plan on getting up early (I always get up early) and hoisting the flag up, first all the way up, then dropping it down to half staff to honor those who have died in wars.  Then its back all the way up at noon to show that they have not died in vain.  I'm going out to the cemetery to put a flag on Dad's grave (a vet, although he didn't die in a war).  (Kind of odd that although I don't like funerals I don't have any problem at all with cemeteries.)   I plan on spending the day with the family and friends.  Maybe a little work around the house, but not too much.  Hope to have some great weather and to just relax.

So I hope you all enjoy your barbeques and the extra day off from work or school, spending time with family and friends, working in your yard or watching the races.  Travel safe if you're heading anywhere.  It is the unofficial start of summertime.  But try and take a couple of minuets to remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms.