Memorial day is fast approaching. As always, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. I write this article to remind the St. Luke’s community that Monday, May 26th isn’t just a casual day off from school or work. It is a special opportunity to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed in service to our country. 

Memorial Day was first conceptualized during the 19th century and the conclusion of the American Civil War. After the calamity of the Civil War, deep loss was felt across the country.  Commander in Chief of the Union army John A. Logan declared May 30th “Decoration Day” to honor Union’s dead. By the 1890s, every state in the Union had adopted the tradition of Decoration Day happening on the 30th. The name Decoration Day was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1971. Since then, it has been held annually to pay respects to all military service members who were killed in the line of duty over the 250 years of our nation’s history.

Even if you personally haven’t lost someone in the line of duty, there are still people for you to honor during this special holiday. For those in the St. Luke’s community, an example could be Lewis Gordon Benko from New Canaan, Connecticut.  Private Benko was killed in 1945, at the age of 23, during the U.S. Marine Corp landings on the island of Iwo Jima; an infamous WWII battle in the South Pacific. Unfortunately he was killed only months before the end of the war. His death serves as a reminder to us all to appreciate every moment we have, and to respect the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces to keep us safe. Memorial Day will be held this year on Monday, May 26, 2025. Of course it’s important to enjoy your day off, but this holiday means so much more than that. Memorial Day is a time for reflection and appreciation. So, I urge you to please take a second this holiday to think about the actions of the heroes who selflessly gave their lives so you could live yours in peace.