Here’s Why Young Americans Don’t Appreciate The Meaning of Memorial Day

When I think of Memorial Day, I think long weekend. I think warm summer sun. Hot dogs and picnics, and throwing a frisbee on a grassy lawn.

And if you’re a California native like me, Memorial Day holds an even deeper significance: it marks the start of the summer beach season. That means the sound of the waves, the smell of the salt air, and a good evening bonfire.

But obviously, there’s something missing: the actual “memorial” part of Memorial Day.

That’s ironic, given that I’m a conservative — a label that implies a belief that there’s something in the past worth remembering and preserving.

But for most of my life, I can’t recall wondering what I was supposed to be remembering and why I was supposed to be remembering it. Instead, I treated Memorial Day like any other holiday — just an excuse to take a day off and relax.

I’m not the only one.

According to a 2020 survey, only 43% of Americans understood the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day. A full 36 %weren’t sure of the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

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This ignorance may seem shameful. But in my opinion, it’s more reflective of the relative peace our generation has inherited — and our resulting lack of perspective on suffering and sacrifice.

We face conflicts, yes, and there are brave service men and women who daily put their lives on the line to protect our country. But thankfully, most of us haven’t experienced the unique tragedy of losing an immediate family member to war.

Obviously, this means Memorial Day may hold less meaning for us than it did for, say, my grandparents’ generation — a generation directly affected by World War II.

Born during World War II, my grandfather, himself a Navy veteran, didn’t even get to meet his father until he was a year old. The reason? My great-grandfather was away, serving his country in the military.

That delay in meeting one’s child is a sacrifice unimaginable to many today. But it pales in comparison to that made by those who have laid down their lives in service.

Yet today, we struggle to appreciate their sacrifice, in part because we’re so distanced from it. We’ve lost perspective on how much it’s truly worth.

The phrase “first-world problems” has grown cliché, but it’s apt in this instance. Most of us haven’t had to face the same kind of life-or-death scenarios as did our grandparents and great-grandparents, so we struggle to understand the significance of their courageous choices.

That lack of perspective is the reason most people don’t appreciate Memorial Day for all it’s worth. At least, that’s certainly why I didn’t.

Recently, though, I had the chance to catch up with my grandparents. And while we didn’t dwell on my grandfather’s time in the service, simply hearing their wisdom — wrought in long lives of cheerful hard work, dedication, and love — reminded me how much I owe, both to them and to those who paid the ultimate price.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” reads John 15:13.

So enjoy your long Memorial Day weekend. Bask in the summer sun. Eat a hot dog — or don’t, if you’re trying to go MAHA.

But if you get the chance, sit down with an older friend or family member — someone who has stories to share of their generation’s sacrifice and service. You may find yourself leaving the conversation encouraged, challenged, and with a deeper appreciation for those who have shown the greatest love possible to their fellow man.

Mary Mobley is an Editorial Fellow in the Strategic Communications department of the Heritage Foundation.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.