By Nestor Tamayao
I bet many of you are thinking what I am – “It’s May already!” The post will be busy this month with installation of newly elected officers, the Social and Memorial Day activities. For me, May also marks the fact that my tenure as your commander is coming to a close next month.
While many equate May to the Memorial Day holiday, for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, there is a day that has significance as it was the VFW that had it recognized. That day is May 1st, Loyalty Day. The day provides an opportunity for all American citizens to reaffirm their loyalty. Patriotic rallies, parades, public meetings, school programs and other activities are some examples that show citizens’ patriotism and loyalty to our government.
Loyalty Day’s roots are not recent. The idea to hold patriotic rallies started in 1930 to offset the Communist rallies that were held on May Day. The VFW’s involvement began with the adoption of a resolution at the VFW National Convention in 1949 to make May 1 as Loyalty Day. In 1954, the resolution was introduced in Congress and approved in 1955. It was officially recognized with the adoption of Public Law 529 in 1958.
Memorial Day gives the opportunity to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It was known first as Decoration Day as the day graves of fallen Civil War soldiers were decorated. The name Memorial Day came into use in 1882. The name was declared by federal law in 1967. Some confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. While Memorial Day remembers those who died while serving, Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the armed services.
The month of May provides citizens the opportunities to participate in activities that reflect continuing loyalty to America and honoring those who gave their lives to maintain our cherished freedoms. If you are not able to attend an organized activity on Memorial Day, you can pause for a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. on that day to honor those who have died in service to the nation, as The National Moment of Remembrance Act of 2000 encourages.