I wrote this entry about Memorial Day three years ago in this blog and it seems to capture my feelings about the holiday pretty well:
Today is one of my favorite holidays (Thanksgiving is the other one). In part this is because it's traditionally regarded as the beginning of summer. And I have fond memories of the small town parades of my childhood. But I also like what the day represents: we citizens are asked to consider notions of duty, sacrifice, and love of country in an era when such ideas may be out of fashion. (Plus there's no expectation of having to buy gifts!)
I have fond memories of marching in my hometown Memorial Day parade: with the Little League, with the Boy Scouts, with my high school band. I also remember seeing my grandfather--a World War I veteran--riding in an old-fashioned car with other vets one year.
