The difference between Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day, we are reminded, is that the former honors the living who served their country in the military, while the latter honors those who died in the line of duty. And we have lots of people to honor today. The number of Americans who died for their country is 1.1 million.
Why May 30? It goes back to the original observances, just after the Civil War, in 1868. The plan was to decorate the graves of the slain with flowers. (Here in Oklahoma, we use this day, which some call “Decoration Day” to put flowers on the graves of all of our loved ones who have died.) On May 30, flowers are in bloom.
From A Memorial Day burnished by events that salute past service | The Seattle Timesj:
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