My parents always referred to today as "Decoration Day." And, although to the best of my knowledge, we did not have any family members die while serving the country, it was still a somewhat solemn and mostly quiet day at our house. My dad was one of the few men of his age who did not serve during the Second World War, due to a medical deferment. Still, his friends served, and he carried a lot of respect for those who sacrificed.
Sometimes we went to the town parade, but there was never a celebratory tone to the activities during this holiday.
Nowadays, Memorial Day is an excuse for trips to the beach and grilling out for just about everyone, and that seems to more and more the case as the older WWII generation leaves us.
And I am guilty of that as well, I suppose.
So I will take a moment to remember the reason for this holiday in the first place.
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