metro BIRMINGHAM Eat. Fur THEJEWISH NEWS a.::FgEgrie tie Pmu It' AV' atalt17471 0, a—No. 70 SHILLS ovns, Senor 47 THE JEWISH NEWS Memorial trtry Elk 1.3 Day Unites Us All itrAi al1,0 45. - MAY Es, As the Editor' Views the News - - and us.u1 Decoration Day BIRMINGHAM eve tired for MARTIAL ARTS Ea' Eighth= #1 Kids Martial Arts Program In the Service o " f Our People learts2. values vrE4 Kids Karate Iewssh ultr:V 4 ,:117.elconz,, 'Liberal Juda• ' Hap rsub uaa toLeffort a pan z:zzt elgrZ inliTe:OrlultVerltuer' y frietlatuteet tple .e, ' mrAg.,t,r ,L up NOW ENROLLING www.bmartialarts.com 248 646-6608 1970330 Learn how Memorial Day started. Mike Smith DJN Foundation Archivist M HAGOPIAN UPHOLSTERY LEATHER TILE & GROUT Make Your Home Blossom This Spring: RUG CLEANING 2 3 ROOMS $ 79. 99 2 ROOMS $59.99 7' SOFA OR 2 CHAIRS $59.99 FOR 1 Bring your rugs to any of our drop- off centers and we'll clean every other one FREE! 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But Memorial Day is supposed to be much more than a federally mandated three-day weekend Memorial Day is the time when Americans remember and honor those who died serving their nation in its armed forces, in all its conflicts, large and small. Not to be confused with Veteran's Day on Nov. 11, the day we honor all who have served in America's armed forces, Memorial Day commemorates all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. This year, Memorial Day (May 25) also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. In this war, more than 291,000 American lives were lost in combat, and a total of more than 405,000 when including all military deaths related to wartime service in the military. Of this number, an estimated 11,000 Jewish service members died in the war, more than 7,000 of these resulted directly from combat. Indeed, it is good to note than Jewish Americans have fought in every war in which the United States was involved. The origins of Memorial Day can be found in Decoration Day. On May 5, 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, commander- in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), called for an annual national observance — Decoration Day. This day would honor the estimated 600,000 or more Americans who died in the Civil War. The GAR was an organization of veter- ans of the Union Army formed after the Civil War. In Downtown Detroit today, at the corner of Cass and Grand River, stands the old castle-like GAR Building, which opened in 1897 and has been recently refurbished. While a fine idea, it was not Logan's original brainstorm. He was inspired by "Confederate Memorial Day" that had been celebrated in the South since 1866. Regardless, after Logan's proclamation, May 30 was chosen as Decoration Day. The idea soon spread around the nation. In 1868, events were held at cem- eteries in 27 states and many of them began to declare Decoration Day an offi- cial holiday. Michigan did so in 1871. By 1890, every state had followed suit. Eventually, Declaration Day evolved into Memorial Day, the latter becoming a more popular title after World War II. In 1967, the federal holiday was officially declared Memorial Day and, in 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act gave Americans a three-day weekend. This also meant that the traditional day for Memorial Day — May 30— was moved to the last Tuesday in May. Many other nations also honor their fallen military members in a similar manner. In England and France, it is Remembrance Day (also called "Poppy Day"), which evolved out of Armistice Day. This was originally a day to com- memorate the signing of the armistice that signaled the end of World War I, but is now a day to honor all of those nations' war dead. In Germany, a National Day of Mourning was established to honor their soldiers' sacrifice in World War I. After World War II, it became a day to mourn all victims of war. In Canada, much like the United States, there is a Memorial Day. Israel also has a national day to honor those who have died defending that nation — Yom HaZikaron. So, as you barbeque or have a beer with friends this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember those who deserve our thanks for giving their lives for our nation. This holiday is their day. ❑