What Memorial Day Means to Me
MEMORIAL DAY — William C. Yingst Jr. (center) 1st Vice Commander of the Russell-Toycen American Legion Post 131 of Colfax and superintendent of the Colfax school district, along with American Legion Commander Chris Larson (far right), congratulate Lexie Aspen on her winning essay in the American Legion’s essay contest “What Memorial Day Means to Me.” Lexie read her essay at the Memorial Day ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery on Memorial Day. —photo submitted
By Lexie Aspen
[Lexie Aspen just finished eighth grade at Colfax Middle School.]
Memorial Day is a very important holiday. It is celebrated on May 27, 2024, this year.
This holiday is observed on the last Monday of May every year. Memorial Day is a holiday that celebrates the men and women who fought for the United States’ freedom and lost their lives by doing so.
Many people celebrate Memorial Day in different ways. Most people fly their U.S. flags at half staff. Many towns have celebrations to remember the people who died for our country. Many people buy poppy flowers to show their support. Memorial Day is also considered the start of summer.
Memorial Day was called Decoration Day until after World War I when they decided to change it to honor all troops instead of just the American Civil War troops.
Memorial Day means very much to me. Memorial Day means many different things to me. Memorial Day reminds me of freedom and the fact that I do not have to live in constant fear because these men and women who I have never met sacrificed everything they had for me and the world I live in.
Memorial Day is a day to remember the ones who died for us. That is not the only thing I think of when I hear the words “Memorial Day.” I think of my friends and family who have served or are going into the forces.
My great-grandpa, who I am very close with, served in Vietnam. The troops who served in Vietnam are very special because they were treated terribly once they got home. This was not fair to them because they had no control over where they went or stayed, and they were doing what they thought was right.
The fact that these men were risking their lives to keep others safe should make people thankful for freedom. He is one of the funniest guys, and the fact that people hated him because he served in a war they did not like is not okay to me. About 58,281 men went missing or were killed while they were in Vietnam, and they were forgotten and hated because of the war.
Memorial Day also makes me think of what life would be like if we did not have these amazing men and women protecting us. Memorial Day makes me think about the men and women struggling with PTSD and other problems and injuries. So many veterans do not get help with their PTSD, and that is not fair to them or their loved ones.
Twenty-two veterans or active military kill themselves each day, which is sad and unfair to them, in my opinion. They should be able to talk about their problems and not be judged or thrown into the hospital. They should not be afraid to talk about the events that happened overseas. That is terrible and unfair to them.
Memorial Day makes me show my patriotism. I wear red, white and blue to show my American colors. Memorial Day is a day that everyone should celebrate to show their thankfulness for what these people did for them.
For Memorial Day, my family goes to the Memorial Day parade in Colfax and buys poppies. I will always thank God for the freedom and sacrifices these men and women gave us.
