What’s in a Name?

Memorial Day, I have to be honest, as a boy – no, even to this day – that term did and does not really hold much significance to me. When you’re a child the value behind it is that long weekend preview feeling of summer that is right around the corner – barbecues, picnics and parades. It’s a dalliance or perhaps a diversion at best.

After the Civil War when  individual communities held their own memorials to the fallen on different days…well, that certainly has some poignancy behind it – even for the youth of the time. Imagine standing on the same late spring weed-chocked ground that your father or older brother bled out on. But even for those souls neigh approaching two centuries gone Memorial seems such a paltry misnomer, to me.

Sacrifice Day, has too much of a Shirley Jackson feel. Day of the Fallen, would exclude those fortunate souls who serve and then return. Yet, both would be better descriptors to delve into the meaning of the day. Sadly the term I feel is most fitting allows for one of our few minimally capitalized holidays to be commercialized like all the rest, Honored Warriors Day. It truly covers the significance, but I can already see the UFC banners waving high, can’t you? Sad.

I suppose my best advice is to honor the fallen warriors who sacrificed so much for you  everyday, and not just once a year. To my grandfathers, to my friends, and to all of yours who serve and served have a wonderful Memorial Day.