Results: Decoration Day/Commemoration Day/Memorial Day
Published on 05/27/2018
Originally called "Decoration Day" in the US, the name was changed to "Memorial Day" in 1967. It started after the Civil War to honor soldiers who died on both sides, especially those who were buried in unmarked graves away from home. The National Moment of Remembrance Act says that Americans should pause at 3 p.m. each Memorial Day and take a moment to remember those who have been lost. Flags are flown at half mast until noon on this day. Our Canadian friends (please correct me if I am wrong), observe Canada Day (also known as Dominion Day) on July 1. Newfoundland and Labrador observe Memorial Day (also known as Commemoration Day) on the same holiday. The morning is for Memorial Day activities (flags flown at half mast and memorial services held at war memorials) and the afternoon is for Canada Day (along with the rest of the country). Memorial Day started there as an observance of the massive loss of soldiers in the Battle of the Somme.
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Do you observe Memorial Day with flags at half-mast, a memorial service of any kind and/or an intentional moment of silence/remembrance for fallen soldiers? Yes
31%
519 votes
No
36%
594 votes
N/A
33%
554 votes
2.
2.
The last living veteran of WWI passed in 2012 at age 110. The last combat veteran of WWI passed in 2011, age 110. The last WWI veteran who served in the trenches passed at age 111 in 2009. Did you have a relative who served in WWI? Yes
22%
361 votes
No
38%
637 votes
Don't know
20%
334 votes
N/A
20%
335 votes
3.
3.
The oldest living WWII veteran (as of April 2018) is 112. With dwindling numbers of WWII veterans, it is difficult to say how many worldwide are left. One account from a few years ago estimated the surviving veterans worldwide to number somewhere between 2-2.5 million. Do you have any relatives who served in WWII? Yes
42%
708 votes
No
23%
389 votes
Don't know
15%
254 votes
N/A
19%
316 votes
4.
4.
We have heard about Code Talkers from WWII. Because the records were not declassified for decades, it is not known the exact number of surviving Code Talkers left from WWII. In 2013, there were thought to be 40-70. However, code talking was pioneered by the Cherokee and Choctaw peoples in WWI. Were you aware of this fact? Yes
35%
576 votes
No
38%
638 votes
Unsure
7%
122 votes
N/A
20%
331 votes
5.
5.
Did you/do you have relatives that have served or are serving in wars/conflicts since WWII? Yes
32%
533 votes
No
35%
578 votes
Unsure
13%
221 votes
N/A
20%
335 votes
6.
6.
Memorial Day is reserved for those who can't return a smile or a salute, not to mention the families and friends who have been left behind. It can be very difficult for a person who has served or is serving in the military who have lost close comrades to war. Memorial Day should not only be a day to remember the fallen but a day to be extra kind to servicepeople who have lost comrades-in-arms, to help them through a day they might not want to think about because of the pain that comes with memories. We should all do this every day, not just one day a year. Does Memorial Day mean more to you after this survey? Yes
37%
625 votes
No
26%
435 votes
Unsure
10%
168 votes
N/A
26%
439 votes
COMMENTS