Memorial Day, first celebrated as Decoration Day, was first celebrated on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery when President Andrew Johnson gave all federal workers the day off. Thought there are earlier accounts of celebration as early as 1866, following the Civil War, it seams it became official in 1868 as it was described as a day "the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades".

Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day. It was also known as early as 1882 as Memorial Day however it became officially declared under Federal Law as Memorial Day on June 28, 1968 under the Uniform Holidays Bill. (Link opens image of bill) 

Clearly Memorial Day was conceived and first celebrated as a day to honor those fallen in combat. Later the lines blurred and it seamed appropriate as a day to honor the dead.

How sad, today, it is a day to honor our appetites! Flower shops close, almost universally, on Memorial Day as few buy flowers for the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom.

We live in a wonderful country with many freedoms, abundance and affluence. Especially on the Central Coast, life is a blessing and a treasure, but those freedoms were born by others. This year, before we rush to the Memorial Day sales, jockey for position before the Indy 500, head to the lake or beach or lay our steaks upon our grills, let us take a few minutes to contemplate the cost of the freedom to do those very things.  Whatever political leanings you have, consider the soldiers, known and unknown who have willingly laid down their lives, for your freedom.