Memorial Day started out as “Decoration Day”, a reflection of the day’s main activity which was to leave flowers at cemeteries. It was an annual day of remembrance that was officially declared on May 30, 1868 in memory of soldiers who died in military service in the American Civil War (1861 – 1865).

Although the South was not on board and honored their dead on different days; that changed after World War I when the holiday was revised to also honor American heroes who died fighting in all wars.

In 1971, Congress proclaimed the National Holiday Act of 1971 to make the day “the last Monday in May” into a three day weekend for Federal holidays and which is now celebrated in all states.

The Memorial Day Symbol

The red crepe poppy, which is closely tied to the Day, was inspired by the poignant poem and good works of humanitarian, Moina Michael back in the 1915.

Her poem reads as follows:

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.

The poppy not only serves as a reminder of the fallen heroes who died in serving the nation, it is made by disabled servicemen and sold to raise funds to benefit the servicemen and their families.

How Memorial Day Is Celebrated

Visits to memorials, flag-waving events with patriotic marches and floats are some of the ways in which our fallen servicemen are properly honored and commemorated. Part of the purpose would include contemplation of the causes for which they fought.

Nevertheless, with the declaration of the National Holiday Act of 1971, Memorial Day has evolved to become more inclusive. It is now considered a day of reverence for our deceased relatives, regardless of whether they have served in the military or not; it is a day to visit their cemeteries and memorials.

As it also marks the unofficial beginning of summer, there’s been the usual main themes to include: family get-togethers, barbecues, parades, fireworks, beach trips, department store sales and other national media events.

Commemorations In The Capital

The National Memorial Day Parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states step off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. It is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons.

Special tribute will be accorded to those heroes who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks, now into its 10th anniversary. It is fortuitous that the killing of the mastermind behind the attack, Osama bin Laden, has taken place prior to this year’s celebrations.

Furthermore, this national parade will also commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation, a tribute to the Special Operations community currently leading the fight in Afghanistan, and recognition of the 70th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War II and the 20th anniversary of the Gulf War.

Our Very Own Tribute

DetailXPerts will pay tribute to our fallen soldiers by presenting a demonstration on steam cleaning cars. One very lucky person has been picked from a drawing that we have been conducting the entire month of May through Facebook and Twitter. This individual will have their vehicle immaculately detailed FREE by our Green Team on May 30 at Edgewood Country Club in Commerce Township. We plan to give them a fashionable Memorial Day celebration to remember.