While there are dozens of ways you can honor America鈥檚 fallen this Memorial Day, there are a few things to avoid doing to maintain the spirit of the day.
1. Don鈥檛 wish anyone a 鈥淗appy Memorial Day鈥�
This is not Christmas 鈥� Memorial Day was not founded in joy with the promise of bringing glee each year. It was established as a way for the country to set aside time to honor the troops who had given their lives in service to America.
In 1868, Gen. John Logan declared the day for 鈥渢he purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.鈥�
Despite what the day has transitioned to in American culture, it was established to honor and remember America鈥檚 fallen.
2. Don鈥檛 thank the current troops
At least, don鈥檛 thank them just because it鈥檚 Memorial Day. They deserve respect and gratitude every day of the year, but this day is set aside specifically for America鈥檚 fallen warriors from every war.
America鈥檚 veterans are honored during November on Veteran鈥檚 Day when we aim to remember and appreciate the sacrifices of all veterans. But, Memorial Day allows the country to focus on those service members who are no longer with us 鈥� an important distinction.
3. Don鈥檛 disregard its importance
Though discounts abound for nearly everything from cars to furniture to pool supplies, that鈥檚 not what the holiday is about. When we focus only on the backyard barbecues or discounts on refrigerators, we allow the true meaning to become lost. Particularly when the country has perpetually been at war for the last 16 years, this isn鈥檛 something we can allow to happen.
Grill some amazing steaks, and find the perfect mattress on sale, just don鈥檛 forget to raise a glass in honor of those servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
4. Don鈥檛 forget it exists
Even worse than allowing the day to become synonymous with deep discounts and potato salad, is letting it slip from the public鈥檚 mind completely. When it becomes simply a highly-anticipated extra morning of sleeping in, instead of the day of reflection and appreciation it was meant to be, we disrespect our fallen troops.
5. Don鈥檛 let politics keep you from rendering respect
Even if you don鈥檛 agree with the idea of war, or the reasons America goes to war, or the policies of a particular president who was the Commander in Chief during a specific war, it doesn鈥檛 matter. People have defended the people and interests of America for over 200 years, and your right to disagree with the reasons for war should be separate from your opinion of the troops themselves.
This article, originally published May 26, 2017, has been updated.
