This weekend grills will ignite, pool water will splash and summer will officially kick off thanks to Memorial Day traditions. There is nothing wrong with a family and friends BBQ, swim, hike, campout or party — by all means, enjoy! But Memorial Day traditions are about more than simply savoring a mouthful of beef and strutting your stuff around the pool.
History of Memorial Day traditions
Like so many noteworthy days, Memorial Day traditions is actually steeped in a fascinating tradition of the past, dating back to post-Civil War era when America was still licking its sizable self-inflicted wounds from the brother-against-brother warfare. According to www.whatsoproudlywehail.org approximately 750,000 people died in the Civil War. That’s roughly 2 percent of the population. Families were devastated. Culture and religious customs left many soldiers fearful of being buried anywhere but home — though many of them were.
Memorial Day traditions was originally known as Decoration Day. As the name suggests, it was an opportunity to for families to decorate the graves of their lost loved ones. The practice started as a grassroots effort, and soon became a shared celebration day, adopted by the northern states, then the southern states, with businesses closing and flags flying at half-staff.
Then, in 1868, May 30 was set aside “for the purpose of strewing flowers or otherwise decorating, the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country…” according to www.whatsoproudlywehail.org
Celebrations in Arlington National Cemetery followed. By the end of World War I, the focus shifted to encompass and honor all of America’s war dead. Then, after World War II, Memorial Day became a day to pray for peace, in addition to decorating and memorializing the graves of those who had died. This Memorial Day traditions continues today.
Memorial Day traditions to try
Although there is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying time with one’s living family members and celebrating during Memorial Day traditions, there are many other things you can incorporate to add some depth, meaning or reverence to your three-day weekend.
- Attend a patriotic concert
- Visit a local veteran’s home
- Take time to visit the cemetery. Clean the graves. Decorate with flowers, flags or other items.
Spend time at your local cemetery. - Teach your family the significance of the flag. Discuss the meaning of the colors, stripes and stars; have children draw a flag and label each part.
- Raise your own flag.
- As a family, research and read stories of your ancestors, particularly those who were involved in any of our nation’s wars.
- Attend a parade.
- Write a letter to a veteran or other loved one, thanking them for their sacrifice.
- Teach children how to properly display the flag and how to properly fold it.
- Send a care package to a soldier.
- Invite a military family over for the day.
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Cemeteries can be beautiful as well as reverent.
If you have a great Memorial Day traditions, there are several beautiful and historic cemeteries to visit in the Southern Utah area. Memorial Day traditions don’t have to be centered on one’s own family. Even learning about others during the time of Memorial Day traditions can be a great way to honor the fallen and remember the sacrifices people made in America’s past in order to keep America free.
Interested in finding a home in the Southern Utah area where Memorial Day traditions are kept in beautiful sunny weather? Check out these listings here.
