Washington D.C, 31 May 2022 (TDI): The United States observed memorial day on 30th May. The country commemorates the day on the last Monday of May each year to honor the US military personnel who gave their lives while serving the country.
Previously, the memorial day was observed on 30th May from 1868 to 1970. Since 1970, the day is commemorated on the last Monday of May. It is a federal holiday.
Americans observe the day by visiting cemeteries and memorials across the country dedicated to the fallen military personnel. Moreover, the armed forces carry out military parades in various US cities. Government officials, members of the US Armed forces, and common people participate in the observation.
US President Joe Biden said on the occasion “Our memorial to fallen heroes must not be just a day when we pause and pray. It must be a daily commitment to act. To come together. To be worthy of the price that was paid.”
The Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, said during his speech, “In the year since we last gathered on this solemn day, America’s longest war has come to a close.” “And today, we remember the 2,461 American service members and personnel who fell in Afghanistan”, he expressed.
Moreover, the White House vowed to honor the memories of fallen military personnel. It also vowed to support the families, caregivers, and survivors they left behind.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day was first observed in the United States on 30th May 1868. It was then called the “Decoration Day”. The Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed the day to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War.
Afterward, the recognition of Memorial Day spread among the US States.
However, after the World Wars, the day did not remain limited to remembering Union soldiers of the Civil War. It later became a memorial for all US soldiers who died in all US wars and military operations.
Moreover, Memorial Day is one of the three federal days that honors members of the military. The other two being the Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day.
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