Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  It is observed on the last Monday of May. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30.  The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868.  Then known as Decoration Day, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War.

Memorial Day signifies the start of summer. Thousands of people will flock to nearby lakes to picnic and boat for the day. Those of us not owning boats or near a lake will fire up the backyard grill. There will be massive amounts of beer consumed and tons and tons of hamburgers and hot dogs grilled. Flags will be mounted on fronts of houses. Military cemeteries will be decorated with flags on the graves. For one day every year we celebrate and give thanks to those warriors that have given their lives to keep we here in the United States free to pretty much live our lives and make our own choices, good or bad.

Growing up as an Army Brat, you were well aware of Memorial Day. It didn’t matter where you were or what military installation you were stationed at, there was going to be a Memorial Day ceremony. The day usually started with a ceremony to honor the fallen warriors with color guard and twenty-one gun salute. A solemn ceremony you don’t really forget. Many celebrations would include military vehicles you could crawl upon. I recall, during our life in St. Louis, attending a Memorial Day celebration across the river in Illinois at Granite City Army Depot. On that day my Dad and his buddies put on a parachuting demonstration. My father was in the Army, Airborne Division, and he was a parachuter. He could fold a chute and put it in the bag, strap it on and jump out of whatever flying vehicle the Army told him to. On this day it was a helicopter, a Huey or UH-1. The kind of helicopter you see in every Viet Nam movie. On that day there was a mishap and one of his jump buddies got his chute caught on the Huey landing skids. There was a moment of panic as everyone gazed up with concern. It took some doing but they were able to get him loose before something worse could happen – getting caught in the rotors for instance. 

In addition to the parachuting demonstration, I was able to take my one and only ride in a helicopter. Sadly it was not the Huey but a more conventional Bell helicopter. It was one of those highlights you don’t forget as a kid. An additional kid activity was a simulated parachute jump for kids. This consisted of a taut steel cable with one end attached to a 3 story tower and the other a telephone pole. Attached to the cable was a parachute rigging. Kids would line up the stairs of the tower to have chance to strap into the rigging and pushed off the tower, zipping down the cable as if you were parachuting. It was a great ride. (this was pre zipline). To commemorate your accomplishment you received a certificate. 

I could go on but instead have a safe, entertaining Memorial Day. The rest of you not living in the U.S. – enjoy your workday.