It’s hard to believe it’s already Memorial Day, but the unofficial start of summer has arrived and what better way to celebrate than a good old-fashioned American BBQ?
Memorial Day isn’t just about burgers and hot dogs though. It’s about remembering those who have died fighting for our country while in military service. Originally, the holiday was called Decoration Day because the graves of soldiers were decorated with flags and flowers.
It is believed Memorial Day is at the end of May because it is a time when flowers are blooming across the country, so everyone would be able to make flower wreaths and bouquets for fallen soldiers.
Dozens of towns claim that they were the original birthplace of the holiday, but President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, the official birthplace in the wake of the Civil War.
In 1971 Congress passed the bill to make the day a federal holiday to give federal workers the day off and create a long weekend, in hopes to use the extra time to remember the fallen.
Will you be having a Memorial Day BBQ this year? Please tell us in the poll below.
Every time I think of Memorial Day, I think of the brave men that freed my Dad in Denmark near the end of WWII. My Dad was so moved by their sacrifice, that he decided he wanted to move to the States. It took a few years, and a detour to Canada where he met my Mom, but shortly before I was born, he made it to the States. Memorial day was a day to remember the fallen, and while we may have had a special meal or visited with friends and family, we never forgot those who gave their lives in defense of freedom. Especially those who helped free a little country called Denmark.
Yup, got my vote. It is just my wife, my adult grandson and I, but I managed to put some baby back ribs in the oven. I don’t think of it as a celebration, but the meal is traditional in my family, and we have more than our share of vets, including a son, a daughter, and myself a viet nam era vet.
And you honestly believe that’s the reason for Memorial Day? Is that the only day of the year your family can get together?
“Yup”? What is up with that?!?!
I have never understood what makes some people think that the deaths of millions American servicemen is reason to party, barbecue, and celebrate. That is not at all what the day was intended for. I’m guessing that those who do use the day as an excuse to imbibe, hoot and holler never lost someone that gave their lives for our country.
Right now we don’t even know what we will be having for supper, much less planning a BBQ.
If the Nat’l Cementaries were open I would pay my respects there.
People are watching to much FAKE news. It has bankrupted this country. If you are retired and have some money you go along with it. Me I am going to loose my house that I have been in for 20 years over this. it is all about communist control. I wish people will wake up and see what this doing to this country. I am with you Gary and I will leave saying NO MASK
It’ll be just my husband & I. As the daughter of a veteran it’ll be a quiet day of reflection.
We are here Massachusetts were fortunately our campgrounds is open but only to seasonal campsites and essential workers. We are here with a few of our other seasonal site friends and are trying to celebrate some sort of a normal memorial day barbecue.
I really feel bad for people that are so afraid & give up there freedom because they think we are going to die. Guess what we are all going to die. it is part of life. we are born we live we die. no gov. no mask no social distant is going to change that. NO MASK
so do what you think is right and so will I. you just don’t get it do you? its about FREEDOM
Right according to who?
The older I get the more I appreciate holidays for the intended purpose.
My family spent time at the National Cemetery where my father, uncles and cousins are buried placing flags and flowers on the grave sites. Far too many people celebrate a day off from work and not those who served, something I am ashamed to say I am guilty of doing in the past.
I voted Yup but it,s just my wife and myself! People are being stupid and getting too close. Reopening America is not like using a light switch that it will be here today and gone tomorrow. I for one will be using the dimmer switch and taking it very slow and mindful of my surroundings.
I live in S. FL if we have a BBQ the police will raid us and lock us up. Welcome to the new America. Is this what we fought for ???
I live in Florida too, and that is a bit overkill!
Check Broward county.
We live in Central Florida but are at our Summer Place in N.C. for Memorial Day. I guess you guys got hit the most in S. Fl. I hope they open things up for you soon. This will only become the new America, if we let it. I don’t think we will.
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ― Peter Marshall
Irv U keep reaping yourself
That is a very narrow minded interpretation of freedom.
Seriously doubt S. FL has that large of a police force and jail cells to lock any and all that have a BBQ. Your state and governor very reluctant at the onset to mandate lockdown and now your all at the beaches, so really? Are you a vet, I am, so let’s stay America and ride this pandemic together as a nation, united we stand, divided we fall!
You do not know S. FL we have a large paramilitary police force. they made room in the jails for us. some people do not have a clue.
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ― Peter Marshall
“BBQ” in our case means we’ll be cooking outside on the grill. I’m surprised that the poll results…at least this early…show most voting No.
But … it’s early.
God bless our military members… past, present, and future.
Thanks for the blessing Connie, we all can use it right now. Enjoy your Memorial holiday!
Usually yes but no barbecue today because my husband is working. He’s a police officer and I urge everyone to think not only of our fallen military but also those fallen who walked the thin blue line. Blue lives matter, too.
So you usually have a barbecue to celebrate the deaths of millions of servicemen that died to protect your freedoms? That never seemed to me like a good reason to celebrate. Maybe a day of quiet reflection would be more appropriate than partying.
While it is nice to have the day off and have this BBQ, also remember the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that gave their lives for our country.
There are plenty of days that are more appropriate to party and have barbecues than the one day a year set aside to remember those that died for us.
In America you have the right to mostly do as you please. Our veterans died for that right. So if you choose to BBQ and party or to observe a day of silence and reflection remember that they died to give you that right. Self choice. Besides, what is more dangerous? The Government telling you how to observe a holiday or social media telling you what is acceptable? I think the social media is much more dangerous.
And Memorial Day is the only day of the year your grill works, right? Do you have any friends or family that have made the ultimate sacrifice whose death you’re celebrating? Your own conscience should be telling you what’s acceptable behavior on such a solemn day.
This year it coincides with my son’s birthday so we’ll have a family celebration. Remember to pause at 3 PM local for a moment of silence to pay tribute to those fallen in battle so that we can have an opportunity to have our BBQs.
You thinking that millions of young men gave their lives so that you could have a barbecue and celebrate their deaths is a little macabre isn’t it?
Where’s the poll? Have you changed these polls? All I see are “leave a comment” for the past week or so. Bring back the poll tool.
Working fine for me. Android tablet with Firefox.
Works for me too. Dell home computer and Firefox. The polls always show up for me.
Todd, your poll may not be showing up because you’re blocking scripts or an ad blocker you’re using thinks our poll is an ad. You should turn off any script blocking or ad blocking on rvtravel.com and see if the poll comes back. Also, note that some browsers have script blocking built into them so even if you didn’t add in a script blocker, because our poll is from a third party website, the poll will be seen as something that should be blocked. Hope that helps! – Kim
No it is raining all day here.