Memorial Day

What is the meaning of Memorial Day? Few people realize the depth of its meaning for the freedoms we enjoy today. A large group of high school seniors were touring the Capitol in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day. The guide posed the question, "What is the meaning of Memorial Day?"

They thought about it, and together they said, "It's the day that the pool opens."

Memorial Day is about remembering. It's easy to forget the price that was paid for our freedoms.

This weekend families will enjoy backyard barbecues, picnics and get togethers, but the meaning of Memorial Day is that almost 1.5 million men and women have died so that you and I might enjoy our freedoms. It started during the Civil War when women began decorating the graves of soldiers who had died in that war. On May 30, 1868, the day was designated as 'Decoration Day' - a day for placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers throughout the United States.

'Decoration Day' gradually became known as Memorial Day and soldiers who died in other wars were honored. We must remmeber that freedom isnn't free. People died so that we could live. Freedom isn't free!