RVers Honor Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day

RVing families enjoy the extra day to relax and explore during the Memorial Day weekend. It can be easy to forget that Memorial Day is much more than an opportunity to RV camp, toss some dogs on the grill and explore with the family. Why not slip a little history lesson into your family fun.

Memorial Day is the day when our nation remembers and honors the men and women who have died serving our country. Its origin dates to the Civil War during which people regularly decorated the graves of soldiers killed during that conflict.

Many communities held special ceremonies honoring their Civil War dead, but there was no national observance until 1868 when Army commander General John Logan proclaimed May 30 a national day of mourning. Celebrated near the date of reunification after the Civil War, the day was named Decoration Day for the practice of decorating soldiers’ graves. On that first Decoration Day, flowers were laid on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

With World War I, Decoration Day became a day to commemorate all U.S. soldiers who died serving their country. It was renamed Memorial Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967.

Take a moment today to remember those who have served America. Visit a Civil War battlefield or stop by a cemetery to pay your respects.

To all the men and women who have served our country and those who continue to serve, the RVT.com staff would like to say, “Thank you.”