Memorial Day In A Time Of War

Since 2002, we have celebrated Memorial Day with the sons and daughters of our country fighting abroad, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq. And every day that passes, it seems the media reports less and less about these wars.

As a reminder, Memorial Day evolved from Decoration Day, started in 1868 as a day to decorate the graves of those who died in America's Civil War. But it was not until 1971 that Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, one to be celebrated on the last Monday in May. Monday is also Confederate Memorial Day in Virginia.

Traditionally, on Memorial Day either the president or vice president gives a speech at Arlington National Cemetery and also lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. What will the official word be this year?

Given that America's armed forces remain entangled in the Middle East, consider reviewing this justification for the war from About's Guide to Terrorism, Amy Zalman. Unlike WWI and WWII, we Americans have not been asked to sacrifice at home. A different form of sacrifice is fast approaching, with oil knocking at $150 a barrel, and it's rise in price is linked to our foreign wars.

Last year, US Foreign Policy Guide Keith Porter reflected on the Vietnam Memorial, and the "imaginary line marking the spot in time" when the American consensus was that the war was "unwinnable." When the Iraq War memorial is built, where will that imaginary line lie? Have we crossed it?

Learn more about Memorial Day at History.com. Things you need to know if you plan to visit Arlington National Cemetery. What are the 11 federal holidays in the United States?