Respect memory of fallen on holiday Published May 23, 2013 By Chief Master Sgt. Richard Hammond 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Earlier this week, my family and I were making conversation as we sat around the dinner table. Ultimately, the topic of Memorial Day came up and we began planning the events for the extended weekend. My 14-year-old son posed the question to me: "Dad, why do we celebrate the Memorial Day as a holiday and what is it for?" I, of course, knew Memorial Day was to honor the military, but I have honestly not reflected on the true meaning behind it. Since I wanted to make my son think "dad knows everything," I did what most fathers of teenage boys (or chiefs with lieutenants) would do: made fun of him for not knowing the answer and sent him to consult the all-knowing Google with direction to come back and tell me what he learned. After some lengthy research, my son came back and informed me that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Its first official observation was on May 30, 1868, after Gen. John Logan proclaimed it a holiday in his General Order No. 11. At that time, flowers were placed on the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers and the flag was flown at half-staff in their honor. So, what is the point of my story? It wasn't just to tell you the origins of the holiday that honors our fallen warriors. Increasingly, as generations pass, Americans are either forgetting or don't know the true meaning behind many of our national holidays. Although the additional time off is a great bonus, that's not what they were put in place to do. In my opinion, they are there to inspire a dedication to our nation and to build patriotism in our future generations. So as this long weekend approaches, please take time to reflect and remember our country's service members who have laid the groundwork for our freedom by paying the ultimate sacrifice. Honor their memory with a visit to a national cemetery or military museum. Share your experience with your Airmen and children to ensure our culture retains the knowledge of why we have the extra time off and build pride in their uniformed service. The history and heritage of our great nation's traditions depends on us passing the torch from one generation to another. After all, you will never know where you are going if you don't know where you have been. Above all else, enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. If you are going to drink, be responsible and return safely to tell your story.