This is the original name for what we currently call Memorial Day. It began as an act of honor and recognition of the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in the battles of the Civil War. It began by grateful American citizens who would decorate the graves of soldiers who gave their lives in battle for their nation. Today, the tradition is carried on by decorating the graves of service men and women with an American flag waving above their grave site in honor of their service to their nation. In 1971, Congress declared the last Monday of the month of May as the national recognition of Memorial Day. It is a day dedicated to remember the sacrifices of those who have severed in our nation’s military. This is a day dedicated to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in military. It is also a way for us who are living to honor those who have served to protect our freedoms and have passed into eternity since their service. God’s Word has much to say about remembering the events of the past and it speaks of memorials to help us remember events and people of the past. The first time the word “remember” is used in Scripture is several times in Genesis 9 when God makes a covenant with Noah and his family to not destroy the earth with a flood again. The first time the word “memorial” is used in Scripture is in the book of Exodus in reference to God’s name declared to His people in chapter 3. God also uses the word “memorial” when He establishes the Passover Seder meal with the sacrificial Passover lamb to put blood around the entrance to the home to protect the first-born male from the death angel passing through Egypt. He told the Jews to remember that day every year as a memorial of His deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt. May we remember the service and sacrifice of those who have given themselves for our freedoms.