Happy Memorial Day? As I thought about the real purpose of Memorial Day, I started wondering why we generally greet people with the expression “Happy Memorial Day.”
May 25, 2026 may mark the unofficial start of summer with an extra day off to enjoy a long weekend, but Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor U.S. military personnel who died in the service of our country, protecting our nation and our freedoms. As we approach the 250th birthday of our country, Memorial Day takes on even more significance. The sacrifices made by those who lost their lives protecting our freedoms have enabled the United States to celebrate 250 years of independence and freedoms that are still not experienced worldwide.
According to the Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs, over 1,100,000 Americans have been killed in all wars with almost 500,000 alone losing their lives in the Civil War. One of the deadliest battles in U.S history occurred during World War 1 – the Battle of Argonne Forest, which resulted in 26,000 deaths. It’s difficult to imagine even one life being lost let alone 26,000 in one battle.
Even though Memorial Day is a day to commemorate and mourn the loss of America’s brave soldiers, let’s not forget to honor and thank the over 1.3 million active-duty members of the military, which exceeds 2.1 million when including reservists and National Guard forces. That number represents less than 1% of the current population, which pales in comparison to the 12% of the population that served during World War II.
While we enjoy our burgers and hot dogs, walk the boards, and ride our bikes this Memorial Day, don’t forget the real reason behind the day. Take some time to reflect and remember the significant number of lives lost fighting for our freedom. And give thanks to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
The Law Firm of Mark A. Sereni, PLLC
The Law Firm of Mark A. Sereni, PLLC is a full-service law firm in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We strive to help people, businesses and institutions throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania solve legal problems – and even prevent legal problems before they occur. To learn more about the full range of our specific practice areas, please visit www.markaserenilaw.com or contact Scott C. Gottel, Esquire at 610-565-5700 or at sgottel@markaserenilaw.com.
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