Reflecting on a Landmark Memorial Day

First observed in 1868, Memorial Day originated as an opportunity to decorate the graves of soldiers who had lost their lives in the Civil War. Over the course of the late nineteenth century, the holiday began to grow in popularity across the nation.

After World War One, Memorial Day came to bear a stronger resemblance to the holiday we know. It was a day dedicated to the remembrance of soldiers who had lost their lives across all conflicts in American history.

Finally, in 1971, Congress formally recognized Memorial Day as a national holiday that would be observed on the final Monday in May.

Unofficially, many see Memorial Day as the beginning of summer, though the official start of the season doesn’t occur until nearly a month later. However, I have found it incredibly fitting that this day meant to reflect on the heroic sacrifice of our nation’s brave men and women in uniform occurs during the spring because of what spring means, both in a symbolic and literal sense.

Spring is a time of change and new beginnings. Baby animals are born; “spring chicken” exists as a term for a youthful person with good reason. Flowers bloom, the skies brighten, we have a little more sunshine, and everyone seems to be in a cheerful mood. However, this season of growth would not be as meaningful if not for the cold and difficult winters that we must endure to reach them.

Much like the seasons we experience throughout the year, I believe it is important that we take this opportunity to pause and reflect on how we got here. The beauty of spring and the warmth of the summer that follows would mean little without the hardships of winter. Similarly, the joys of our modern life in America would be nonexistent without the courage of our nation’s military members, who have given their time and their lives to ensure we can maintain the comforts we sometimes take for granted.

The most difficult part of this moment of reflection is that it can be unpleasant. It is far easier to thank someone for their service than it is to show appreciation for those who fell in the line of duty. However, that is the exact purpose of Memorial Day.  

Remembrance, grief, respect, and determination are all emotions I experience when remembering our fallen. Not all of them are pleasant, but they are all equally important as we heed the call to action to honor the men and women who gave their lives to make the America we know a possibility.

To put all of these feelings into context, I’d like to share a sobering statistic: across all American wars and armed conflicts, 2,852,901 military members have given their lives. Based on the most recent census, this number is slightly larger than the population of Chicago. However, it is my belief that those men and women made that choice because they believed in what they were fighting for. They saw America for what it could be at its best: the first nation in human history founded on ideals rather than borders or heredity. A nation where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were core rights that each and every person was born with, and that all people are created equal.

As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding on these core ideals, Memorial Day is as important as it has ever been. We certainly would not be here without those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that our union would continue long after them. As such, it’s the least I can do to return the favor by paying my respects.

This Military Appreciation Month, I urge you to take a respite from the stressors of everyday life and remember those who gave up everything so we could take part in this monumental moment in history.

More From The College

• Visit the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs
• Learn about The College’s mission