Memorial Day: Remember the Meaning

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25th this year. It is an American holiday, always observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Every year, Americans pause to remember the sacrifices of all the fallen members of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. 

Memorial Day was initially established as Decoration Day after the Civil War. The holiday was set aside for families and friends to visit and decorate the graves of troops lost in the conflict, but it became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Memorial  Day vs. Veterans Day

There is a marked difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While Veterans Day, November 11th, is a day to celebrate all veterans, Memorial Day is a somber holiday honoring military fallen with a special focus on those who died in service.

Traditionally, Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer with picnics and parties, yet those in the military community hope that part of the day is spent to mourn and honor the fallen service members for the freedoms we enjoy today.

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy

forget in time that men have died to win them." – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Tips When Celebrating Outside

As Memorial Day picnics announce the upcoming summer season, which starts on June 20th this year, the Farmer’s Almanac predicts it’s going to be a scorcher! To see details of the prediction visit their page.

Sunscreen

While celebrating outside, stay hydrated and apply sunscreen every two hours to prevent sunburn or sunblock to protect from UV damage, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you will be swimming, remember to reapply after getting out of the water, and to cover the back of your ears, hands, and tops of your feet.

Food Safety

Don’t leave food sitting out for more than two hours and make sure to cover it to prevent those nasty bugs from nibbling on them. However, if the temperature is 90°F or above, food should only sit out for an hour.

If you're bringing ice to use in beverages, pack it in a separate sealed bag. Don't use loose ice in beverages that has been used to keep food cold. This ice could have picked up odorless, invisible bacteria from food that was leaking. And let’s face it, no one enjoys food poisoning! 

Looking for a healthy recipe to help celebrate Memorial Day? Try out this alternative to potato salad. Cauliflower salad is a healthy side dish that allows you to save some extra calories for dessert! 

Also, this is the perfect holiday to make this family-friendly beverage. It’s called Patriotic Punch and can be made ahead of time, but lasts longer on a hot day when you are using frozen fruit.

If you are celebrating at home this year or with family, take time to honor the heroes we have lost. Thank those that served, and be grateful for the freedom you experience because of those who have and continue to sacrifice so much. 

The Impact Health Sharing family is grateful for the men and women in our military, for giving up so much, especially those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, and for the families that were left behind.