Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a national day of remembrance for those who died while serving in the U.S. military. While it marks the unofficial beginning of summer for many Americans, the day’s true purpose is solemn: to honor lives lost in service to the country.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the tradition began in the years following the Civil War, a conflict that claimed more lives than any in U.S. history and led to the creation of the first national cemeteries. In May 1868, General John Logan designated May 30 as a day for the nation to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. That same year, Congressman James Garfield spoke at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 people helped decorate 20,000 graves. Garfield’s remarks captured the weight of the occasion:
“If silence is ever golden, it must be here beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech.”
The date was later moved to the final Monday in May with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, which took effect in 1971, formally establishing Memorial Day as a federal holiday.
On Shelter Island, Memorial Day is quietly powerful. The two cemeteries and the garden at the American Legion Hall serve as visible reminders of the Island’s own contributions and sacrifices. Yet, many remain unaware of the number of local residents who served — and those who never returned. A few years ago, a Long Island political candidate posted a lighthearted beach photo captioned “Happy Memorial Day,” a moment that underscored how the meaning of the day can be misunderstood, even by public figures.
Local observances, though modest, are deeply meaningful. Many residents visit grave sites, place flags or flowers, or attend brief ceremonies. Some take part in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m., pausing to reflect on those who gave everything in service to the country.
Memorial Day also presents a chance to consider what remembrance truly means — not just honoring those who died, but recognizing the families who continue to carry their memory. It’s a time to listen, learn, and pass down the stories of sacrifice that shaped our nation’s freedoms.
Memorial Day and Veterans Day: Understanding the Difference
While both holidays honor military service, Memorial Day is reserved for those who died in active duty, whereas Veterans Day, observed on November 11, honors all who have served, living or deceased, in wartime or peacetime.
Traditions and Ways to Observe
Across the country, Memorial Day is marked in many ways — by flying the flag at half-staff until noon, visiting cemeteries, attending concerts or parades, and wearing the red poppy, a tradition inspired by a World War I poem. At Arlington National Cemetery, the President or Vice President lays a wreath in solemn tribute.
Did You Know?
- The exact origin of Memorial Day is uncertain. In 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of the holiday.
- May 30 was originally chosen because it was a date not tied to any specific battle — and because flowers would be in bloom.
- Memorial Day was once widely known as Decoration Day, a name still used by some communities.
A Local Reflection
Shelter Island’s quiet lanes, salt air, and unmarked fields carry echoes of the past. The Island’s modest ceremonies and quietly tended graves offer their own form of tribute — less showy, perhaps, but no less reverent. On Memorial Day, as people gather or reflect in solitude, the Island joins the nation in remembering the lives that were given, and the freedoms their sacrifice made possible.
Leave a Reply