The True Meaning Of Memorial Day

Traditionally, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and a weekend full of parades, hamburgers and long road trips. Most importantly, it’s a day to remember those who have died in defense of this country.

According to USMemorialDay.org, the original name for the holiday was inspired when women adorned Confederate soldiers’ gravestones after the Civil War ended. But tensions between the two regions caused the holiday to be stuck in limbo as a national celebration for more than 50 years.

Origins of holiday complicated by tensions between north and south

Memorial Day was first proclaimed in 1868 when the graves of soldiers buried at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. were decorated. By 1890, all the northern states adopted the holiday, but the South refused and celebrated the dead in their own ways. That changed in the early 20th century, when the holiday was changed to also honor the people who died in World War I.

In 1971, the U.S. Congress officially made Memorial Day a federal holiday.

For many, particularly those who don't live in a charming beach town like Madison, the holiday is also a time to travel.

Millions on the move to celebrate, despite high gas prices

According to AAA Southern New England, more than 34.9 million people in the United States will travel to celebrate the start of summer. Despite the high gas prices, that’s a .02 percent increase of 100,000 trips from last year.

While high gas prices make for water cooler conversations, AAA reports that six out of ten people say the cost of gas won’t affect their travel plans. Of those people who will have to modify travel plans, 70 percent plan to scale back their plans by saving more money or taking a shorter trip.

Here are some more statistics: 

• Approximately 30.9 million (88 percent) will travel by auto. Last year, 31 million drove. 
• Approximately 2.93 million (8 percent) will fly, even though airfares are expected to increase 14 percent. That’s an 11.5 percent increase from last year
• The remaining 3 percent plan to travel by other modes of transportation such as rail, bus or boat.

Madison Memorial Day schedule runs from 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

In Madison this year, the Memorial Day celebration Monday will start shortly after 9 a.m. when the marchers are asked to assemble. Here is the full schedule: 

• 09:15 – 09:45: All marchers to assemble in the Scranton Memorial Parking lot and the Stop & Shop parking lots.  Our USO Girls, (Girl Scouts,) will be serving coffee & doughnuts for those desiring prior to the parade.

•  10:00: Parade begins – marchers will proceed up Samson Rock Rd onto the Boston Post Road at the head of Main St.

•  10:20: Assemble on the Town Green, in front of Memorial Town Hall at the four memorials for ceremonies.  The ceremonies taking place here will be: Invocation, Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Wreath Laying, Flag Raising with the DHHS Band playing the National Anthem simultaneously, the various Speakers and the R.H. Brown Middle School Band playing God Bless America. This ceremony will end with a volley fired by the Firing Squad and the playing of “TAPS by members of the DHHS Band.

• 11:05:  Re-assemble marchers and march down the Post Rd. to West Cemetery.

• 11:25: Ceremonies at West Cemetery – Invocation, Flag Raising, DHHS Band playing the America The Beautiful, Wreath laying, (by members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and winners of the wreath making contests,) Combined Firing Squad and “TAPS”

• 11:45: Re-assemble marchers and march back along the Post Rd to the American Legion Hall on Bradley Road, where marchers will be dismissed. (Refreshments will be distributed to the marchers here at the Legion Hall.

• 12:00: American Legionnaires, VFW Members and Veterans will board a bus for a ride to West Wharf.

• 12:15: Ceremonies at West Wharf – Invocation, Wreath Laying, (upon the waters in honor of our Naval dead,) a volley by the Combined Firing Squad and “TAPS.”

• 12:30: American Legionnaires, VFW & Veterans to re-board bus for trip to VFW Hall on Lovers Lane for Flag Raising. Dismissal at 12:45

If it is raining, parade canceled and ceremonies adjourn to American Legion Hall at 10:30 a.m.

With the exception of the start time of precisely 10:00 a.m., all times are approximate.

In the event of rain, at 10:00, the parade will be canceled and the ceremonies adjourned to the American Legion Hall on Bradley Road to be performed at 10:30.   At the conclusion of the indoor ceremonies, members of the American Legion, the VFW and Veterans will go to the Green, West Cemetery and West Wharf to lay wreaths and raise the flags.  All interested persons are invited to attend any or all of these ceremonies.

Anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day parade, please call Ed Guenther at (203) 245-9423.