Sadly, the significance of Memorial Day is often lost amidst cookouts, parades, and American flag decorations. Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of these fun celebrations. But easily, Memorial Day can become just another holiday to us, a day off from school or work.
This year, we want to encourage you and your family to recall the true meaning of Memorial Day and celebrate the lives of the men and women who sacrificed everything so that citizens of the United States can enjoy our many blessings.
The Significance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is intended as a time to remember (hence the name memorial from the Latin memorialis, meaning “serving as a reminder”) the sacrifice of American soldiers who laid down their lives to protect American citizens and the freedoms we enjoy.
In many ways, Memorial Day echoes our celebration of Easter. Like Jesus Christ, the soldiers we commemorate today died so that we may live. Viewed in this light, Memorial Day, like Easter, is at the same time both a sobering reminder of fatal sacrifice and a celebration of the life we were given as a result of that sacrifice.
Meaningful Memorial Day Celebrations
In this post, we are far from trying to dissuade you and your family from enjoying fun celebrations today like a pool party with BBQ, watermelon, and banana pudding. Just because Memorial Day is a sober remember of the deaths of American soldiers doesn’t mean your family shouldn’t take the day off to relax and spend time together.
Indeed, viewed appropriately, Memorial Day’s significance can bring even greater meaning and joy to your celebrations. After all, the blessings you enjoy today — like delicious food and quality time with family — would not be possible without the sacrifice of this nation’s heroes.
So, don’t feel guilty for enjoying a lake day, outside games, fireworks, or whatever else you and your family have planned for today’s celebrations. Instead, as you go about your holiday activities, be inspired that all the blessings you enjoy today — family, friends, and freedoms — are worth fighting for.
