Memorial Day has divided Americans as much as it has united them. It began as a celebration of Union Army soldiers who died in the Civil War. Southern States didn't embrace it until after World War I — and some still hold separate "Decoration Days" to remember the casualties of the Confederacy. Except for the Revolution, only the Civil War has been fought on American soil, and that makes it easy to forget those who've sacrificed for our country. Without the draft, more and more families don't have loved ones who've died in war. We talk to public radio listeners are others about how they plan to spend a holiday that also features retail sales, barbeques and the Indy 500.
Memorial Day in America: Fun or Remembrance?
Credits
Guests:
- Alex Yaron - US Army Vietnam veteran
- Dixie Damm - Tennessee Democratic Party
- David Hines - American Printing House for the Blind
- Vivian Scharver - National Board of American Gold Star Mothers
- Moses Maddox - The Mission Continues - @momo1313
- Wim de Wit - Getty Research Institute
- Aaron Smith - Young Invincibles
- Peter Mansoor - retired U.S. Army colonel, professor of military history at The Ohio State University - @osuhistorydept