With the kick-off of the NYC #FleetWeek and #memorialday2023 right around the corner, it's important to take a moment to remember the lives we are celebrating, the losses we are mourning and those we are thanking.

Memorial Day is a very special day in the United States, dedicated to remembering all the military personnel who died while serving their country in the armed forces. The day has a deep history, dating back to just after the Civil War when the country was healing from the strife and loss it had experienced. It has evolved over time, growing from a single small event into a nationwide occasion, and has now become heavily commercialized and mired in controversy. In this article, we'll explore the origins of Memorial Day, how it's become celebrated over the years, its recent commercialization, and how we can all work to reclaim its original meaning.

Many of us are glad for those extra days off that come with our federal holidays. This weekend marks a big one for many Americans who have been in, are in or support those who are or have been in the services. But, how many of us know the story of what we’re celebrating? The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the years immediately following the American Civil War. The Civil War, which occurred between 1861 and 1865, resulted in the deaths of over 620,000 soldiers. To commemorate and honour the fallen, various cities and towns across the United States began to hold formal remembrance ceremonies and decorate the graves of the fallen with flowers.

The first official observance of Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, was held on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. This observance was organized by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. On this day, over 5,000 people decorated the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers buried at the cemetery. In the years that followed, the observance of Memorial Day spread throughout the United States and became an important day to remember and honour the fallen from all wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was made a federal holiday by an act of Congress, and its observance was set to the last Monday in May.

Today, Memorial Day has become a day of remembrance, where people across the country honour the sacrifices of those who died in military service. Unfortunately, despite its original intent, Memorial Day has become heavily commercialized in recent years. Retailers offer Memorial Day sales, many people use the holiday as an excuse for a long weekend at the beach or other leisure activities, and there is often a significant increase in drunk driving accidents during this time. All of these activities detract from the holiday's solemn purpose and can be painful for those who are mourning the loss of a loved one who died in military service. 

One iconic event dedicated to remembrance and honouring service members is held during Memorial Day weekend: Fleet Week. A celebration of life and valour which is held in various coastal cities across the country. Fleet Week is a tradition that began in 1935 and was intended to build morale and friendship between the American military and the public. Each year, several US Navy and Coast Guard ships moor at a major port city, such as New York City or San Francisco, and the public is invited to tour the ships and meet the sailors.

Fleet Week will be celebrated in all five of New York City’s burrows as it has been every year since 1984 -with the exceptions of 2020 and 2021. The celebration will be held from today, Wednesday, May 24th through Tuesday, May 30th. The celebrations will feature a host of activities, including public ship tours, military band concerts, flyovers, and other demonstrations by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. There will also be a Women in the Military Panel with NYU’s Women’s Initiative Group and three NATO allies that will be joining the celebration. Great Britain, Italy, and Canada will have several ships on display in the harbours. Visitors can tour the ships, meet the sailors and naval officers, and learn more about the naval operations in the United States and abroad. The event is a great opportunity to learn and appreciate the hard work of the men and women who serve in the United States military and those of our NATO allies. 

So how can we reclaim Memorial Day and restore its original meaning? First and foremost, we can take the time to pause and remember the sacrifices of the military personnel who died while serving our country. This could mean attending a Memorial Day ceremony, visiting a military cemetery or learning all that you can and thanking our service members at a Fleet Week event. We can also donate to organizations that support veterans and their families such as the Wounded Warrior Project or volunteer our time to support veterans in our community. For help finding an organization to volunteer at we recommend using Volunteer Match. 

Another way to reclaim Memorial Day is to make a conscious effort to reduce our consumption during the holiday weekend. Rather than indulging in retail therapy or a debaucherous weekend at the beach, we can choose to spend our time and money on activities that honour the military and its sacrifices. This could mean volunteering at a veterans' centre, hosting a Memorial Day picnic for the community, or taking the time to personally thank a veteran for their service.

Memorial Day is a holiday that has evolved significantly over time. From its origins as a small commemoration of Civil War veterans to a nationwide day of remembrance, Memorial Day has become a time of reflection and honouring the military personnel who died while fighting for our country. However, its recent commercialization has detracted from its original purpose and caused pain for many who are grieving the loss of a loved one.We all have an opportunity to reclaim Memorial Day and restore its original meaning by taking time to pause and remember, supporting veterans and their families and reducing our consumption during the holiday. This year, Fleet Week offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the military and to connect with sailors from around the world. Let us all take a moment to remember and honour the sacrifices of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy, and to make the most of this opportunity to come together as a community.