Monday, May 28, 2007

What's in a Memorial Day?

Today in Life, there is a story about the birthplace of Memorial Day in Upstate New York's Waterloo.
In your face, Carbondale, Ill., and Boalsburg, Pa.!

I am, of course, kidding, since the holiday is not about who came up with it, but to honor Americans killed in military service.
There were a lot more towns celebrating "Decoration Day" before it became official (thankfully, the name was changed, too -- "decoration," to me, sounds like "makeover," not "memorial").

TANGENT ALERT: Today, nine Southern states celebrate "Decoration Days" to remember fallen Confederate soldiers (according to the U.S. Army, not me).
Memorial Day was originally set to honor Union soldiers.
Discuss.

Now you've got something to talk about at your cookout.

(Tasteless jokes aside, do remember the fallen -- we've got our share here in the valley).