On Memorial Day 2021, We W.I.L.L. Thru Sports remembers the heroes of our country who put their lives before ours. Memorial Day is here again to honor the men and women who died while serving in the military.
The History Behind The Yearly Celebration
Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971; thus, creating a three-day weekend for federal employees. While it’s nice to have that extra day off from work, we must remember that today is more than just a time to BBQ and hit the beaches. It’s a time to acknowledge, remember, and honor the lives we lost during the civil war. It’s a time for us to remember and recognize the 600,000+ lives that were lost during this time.
Memorial Day vs Veteran’s Day
While we celebrate the Memorial Day 2021 holiday, we must also understand the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of the month while Veteran’s Day is celebrated on Nov 11th.
This November date marks the end of the civil war, i.e., at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. On Memorial Day, we honor only the heroes that we lost. On Veteran’s Day, however, we honor all our heroes, both alive and dead.
Fun Facts on Memorial Day
- Until 1967, people would refer to this day as Decoration Day. They decorated the graves of the fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags each year.
- There is a controversy over which city the Memorial Day celebrations originated from. However, according to the Library of Congress, the official birthplace of this event is Waterloo, New York.
- The national moment of remembrance is at 3 pm local time!
Final Word
In conclusion, whether you’re resting up at home or are out for a picnic lunch; no matter where you are, stop for 60 seconds to remember those who have died in military service to the United States. Join We W.I.L.L. Thru Sports in saying thank you to all those who have been so brave and courageous for us. Let’s honor all the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military as we celebrate memorial day this year, May 31st, 2021.