Decoration Day was always May 30

It used to be called Decoration Day and was always on May 30, no matter what day of the week it occurred. Officially, it began as a way to honor Civil War dead but I remember it as a day set aside to remember all who had passed on, not just military veterans. Race cars had nothing to do with it. Picnics were optional. Sometimes extended family visited, sometimes not. The peonies always bloomed on Decoration Day.
My grandmother would tell about how they would take flowers around to the graveyards when she was young. It was a solemn occasion. We never observed the flower ritual, but I recall hearing about relatives I had never seen. It was a way to honor and remember them.
Eventually the term “Memorial Day” replaced “Decoration Day.” Then in 1967, in the midst of the turmoil that marked that decade, Congress officially changed the name. Decoration Day was lost. A year later, in 1968, the government passed the Uniform Holiday Bill. It didn’t take effect until 1971.
This bill changed the dates of Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veteran’s Day to specific Mondays. According to President Lyndon Johnson, “The Monday holiday will stimulate greater industrial and commercial production, sparing business and labor the penalty of midweek shutdowns.” They later changed Veteran’s Day back to its original date of November 11. I guess industrial and commercial production don’t need any help in November.
I think something more than tradition was lost. By changing the dates, these commemorations became a much needed day off, rather than a reminder of past events. Remembering our loved ones who have died is now done in private, rather than on a special day set aside for that purpose. The focus has shifted from all the deceased, to military veterans only.
And yet, all the ones we have lost deserve to be honored. They all are a part of us, whether we want to believe it or not. Their genes, their beliefs, everything that defined them, has helped shape the people we have become. Placing flowers on their graves on Decoration Day gives us an excuse to say thank you for all of that.
Memorial Day, on the other hand, is a day for veterans and car races; picnics and relaxation. It is a day to honor those who have given their lives in service to their country. It is a day to honor those who returned home, whole or broken, dead or alive. It is also a day to remember those who could not return.
But once the ceremonies are over and all the ancient soldiers have carefully folded their uniforms and flags, it is time to relax. It is time to watch the cars go round and round. It is time to do whatever it is that helps dissipate whatever tension there is in your life.
School is over or almost over for the year. It is time to play. Decoration Day traditionally marks the first day of summer. Yes, I know that the summer solstice on June 21 officially is the beginning of summer, but the end of May is when we know for sure that winter is finally gone. We can put away the snow shovels and heavy sweaters. It may or may not be warm enough to go swimming, but the bone-chilling cold is done for a few glorious months.
Decoration Day or Memorial Day, whatever you call it, is a time to remember. It also signals a new beginning. There is an implied promise that we will strive to nourish the freedom that so many fought and died for. There is gratitude for those who stayed behind and kept our country running while our sons and daughters fought in foreign lands.
We remember them all on this late day in May. We remember the silent graveyard residents and celebrate the living. The peonies still bloom on Decoration Day.

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