By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025 Truth Endures©
Memorial Day: A Call for Deeper Understanding of a Sacred American Tradition
by U.S. Army is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0
May 26, 2025 — Americans across the country gather for cookouts, beach trips, and retail sales this Memorial Day. Veterans and historians urge the public to remember the true meaning of the holiday. It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Church Street, Wantage by P L Chadwick
is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was first widely observed in 1868. This was after the Civil War. Citizens and soldiers alike placed flowers on the graves of the fallen. Today, it is often confused with Veterans Day. Veterans Day honors all who served. Memorial Day is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For many, the long weekend signals the unofficial start of summer. For Gold Star families—those who have lost a loved one in service—it’s a day marked by grief. It is also a time for reflection and pride.
“We don’t want people to stop enjoying their freedom,”
said Angela Cruz, whose son died in Afghanistan in 2011.
“But we hope they understand that someone paid for it.”
Surveys reveal a worrying trend. A growing number of Americans are unaware of the distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This is especially true for younger generations. A 2024 Pew Research poll found that nearly 40% of adults under 30 were unclear about Memorial Day’s purpose.
Historians warn that this disconnect risks eroding public understanding of military sacrifice.
“When people forget the meaning of Memorial Day, they forget about those who gave their lives in service. They overlook their sacrifice,”
said Dr. Robert Ellis, a military historian at Georgetown University.
“It’s not just a history lesson—it’s a civic responsibility.”
Efforts are underway to restore the day’s original intent. Many veterans’ organizations are promoting the National Moment of Remembrance, a voluntary pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to think in silence. Schools and communities across the country are bringing back traditions. They are visiting cemeteries and laying wreaths. They are also reading the names of fallen service members.
“We want people to barbecue, to be with family, to enjoy America,”
said retired Army Sergeant Major Tyrese Bennett.
“But we also want them to take a moment—just a moment—to remember why they can.”
The nation marks another Memorial Day. Veterans and families hope that Americans will go beyond the sales. They want people to go beyond the celebrations. They wish everyone would take time to honor the names, stories, and legacies of those who never made it home.
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