Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the final Monday of May. It is a day for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It was formerly known as, and is still called, Decoration Day by some. The day originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in military service.
In a day and time where it seems that nearly everyone lives for the moment, it would indeed be wise to give heed to remembering and reflecting. Our heritage gives us a greater sense of who we are, and an awareness that others have sown into our lives making us who we are. In that sense there is a memorial day every day that we remember someone who has in some way enriched our lives. There are also daily opportunities to create memorials, or better said to make memories that truly last a lifetime. It has often been stated that we should heap our flowers on people while they are alive to enjoy them, rather than on their casket when they have passed on. The flowers spoken of are words of appreciation, acts of kindness, or any number of ways that create special memories and deeper relationships.
This Memorial Day let us properly honor those who have passed on before, but let us also renew our commitment to creating memories befitting those who are called to live a life expressing the love and grace of our Savior.
— Terry A. Morrison