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.

‘Golden Age Of America’: Trump Brings Down The House During West Point Commencement Speech

President Donald Trump was met with countless rounds of applause during his keynote commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Saturday.

During the address, Trump touted the “Golden Age of America,” told the graduates to be proud of their accomplishments, and highlighted numerous cadets for their standout achievements.

“You are winners, every single one of you,” Trump said during the address. “You are the first West Point graduates of the Golden Age of America.”

“We’re getting rid of the distractions and focusing our military on its core mission: crushing America’s adversaries, killing America’s enemies, and defending our great American flag,” Trump continued, according to the New York Post.

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“The job of the U.S. armed forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures, or to spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of the gun. The military’s job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America anywhere, anytime, and anyplace,” he said.

“My preference always will be to make peace and seek partnership, even with countries with which our differences may be profound,” Trump added.

https://t.co/5tN9l40W83 @POTUS at West Point:

“This is a day you will never forget.”

He’s right.
Because under President Trump, the forgotten warriors are finally remembered.
The military is being rebuilt.
And West Point stands tall again — not as a woke experiment, but as a…

— TOMMYTATUMNEWS (@BenKaxton) May 24, 2025

Trump brought up numerous graduates to the stage during the address, including one young man who broke an international record by 13 minutes with his 18-mile march time.

“Where is he? Where is he? Come up here — come up here, Chris!” Trump shouted, eliciting loud cheers from the audience. When Trump told him to say something to the crowd, the cadet smiled and told the audience, “It’s been a long five years, but I couldn’t have done it without any of these guys.”

Screenshot: C-Span

Trump also highlighted eight cadets who “took on the challenge of designing their own hypersonic rocket.”

“Oh, we can use you,” Trump said to laughs from the audience. “We’re building them right now! … We are the designer of it, we had it stolen during the Obama administration. You know who stole it? The Russians stole it.”

Throughout the commencement address, Trump touched on politics. For example, the president referenced the Democrats’ lawfare campaign against him after he left office in 2016.

Trump said he was investigated more than mobster Al Capone. “Can you believe it? And now I’m president talking to you,” he said to loud applause.

WATCH:

Related: ‘Fire Everyone In Charge’: Conservatives Blast West Point Over False Pete Hegseth Claim

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