Memorial Day

In different areas of the country Memorial day means different things. There will be parades in almost every town. Not Greensboro,however. We have a parade for the opening of the Little League season but not for Memorial day. I tried,unsuccessfully,to muster a group of veterans who would be willing to march,in uniform, in any local parades. Not even one response ! A sad commentary as far as I am concerned. I did go to the local cemetery to place flags on friends of mine. I was pleased to see numerous flags.
When I was a small child it wasn't Memorial day. It was Decoration day. In 1967 the name was officially changed to Memorial day. This day is a tradition that dates back to just after the Civil War. A day to remember those that fell on the battlefield. Every year it seems like it becomes more about parties,vacations and the beach than about its' original intent.
In my original hometown Memorial day was always celebrated with a parade. The veterans definitely were marching ! They do in every parade. The kids were always invited to decorate your bicycle and join the parade. Red,White and Blue streamers would be interlaced in the spokes and flags taped to the handlebars. Uncle Sam was everywhere. When Old Glory was carried down the street, the men would come to attention and salute as she passed by. Women and children held their hand over their heart. Memorial Day also signaled the start of the "season." The season of tourists,weekend residents,and crowds. Crowded at the store,crowded at the beach,crowded at the restaurants,just plain crowded. It is a love/hate relationship.Love the economic boom that comes with the crowd,but wish the crowd would just go away. The "season" lasted until Labor Day. It is not that way anymore,all things change, it is almost all year round now.
Here in Greensboro,Memorial Day marks the beginning of traffic season. Few will stop here but many will pass through. They are heading to the beach ! Rehobeth Beach in Delaware and Ocean City in Maryland. The two main arteries are Route 50 and 404. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings,forget about it. The cars go by in a steady stream. Any plans for travel are to be scheduled around this. To leave Greensboro and go anywhere where their is shopping,ie: Walmart,Lowes,the Mall, you pretty much have to travel on one of those roads. You can avoid them if you are knowledgeable of the back roads but it will take you a considerably longer time. It will last until Labor Day.
Memorial Day used to be a day of Patriotism and remembrance. Now,that is only the excuse used to begin the summer season. All things evolve over time. Attitudes change. I'm sure we will see it swing back more to its' former intent in years to come. To me,Memorial Day means placing those flags and remembering our veterans !