Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service

(From http://www.usmemorialday.org)

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11 and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

I come from a very patriotic family, and I agree with the author’s assessment that we need to preserve the original meanings of the holidays we observe.  This country has followed God’s example of setting aside days to remind us of some great thing He has done for His people.  We as a nation choose to honor people and events for the same reason.  When we add meaning (or take it away), we run the very real risk of losing its original meaning altogether.  This date has been set aside to remember those who have given their lives in service to this country.  To remind us that when someone attempted to take away our freedoms, there were others who were willing to die to stop them.  They are worthy of honor.