Memorial Day: The history and meaning of the holiday
It's a time to reflect on the 'heroes that have served over the years
Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday of May. It is a day dedicated to honoring the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the US military.
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This day means a lot to military families. It's one day, he told Fox News, which comes with mixed feelings.
Juliana Ponia, whose 30-year-old son, Ronnie, is a U.S. Marine, told Fox News that although she is proud of what her son is doing for the county, she continues to be concerned about his safety.
"It means a lot emotionally ... when they are [somewhere] they can lose their lives," he said, adding that these men and women leave behind a family and in some cases children. "You're worried all the time."
Erica Colorado, whose two sons Louis and Victor served in Afghanistan, are in the same boat. She told Fox News that she was proud that her sons "served this great country" and that they made it a safe home.
She finds herself reflecting on all those "heroes who have served over the years," especially those who could not make it home.
One of those people was Marine Lance Cpl. Travis R., who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Desito.
In a 2014 blog post, her sister, Vanessa Desiato, wrote that during this holy day "we are reminded of what war veterans have given to this country, whether it is the years of service, the first of their marriage." Year, or their life. "
"Memorial Day is the day we remember what it means to be a hero," she wrote. "Valor is deeply rooted in the soldiers whom we say goodbye to with our tears-stained faces, and whom we welcome home with those happy tears."
It's a day that focuses on men and women "who haven't happily found a homecoming, or have since been laid to rest," she continued.
In fact, for some, hearing the phrase "Happy Memorial Day" is jarring.
In a 2014 opinion piece for the Washington Post, now-retired Army officer Mike Jason said he stopped in his tracks when he heard the phrase. It was hard for him to hear, especially after losing three close friends and colleagues in the span of 12 months, two of whom died within 72 hours of each other.
"For all the debate over the meaning of the weekend, no emotion can be compared to the feelings of those who will stop to remember loved ones: fathers, mothers, husbands, wives and children whom they will never see again and Will catch, "Jason wrote.