At its core, Memorial Day is a day of painful remembrance, commemorating the ultimate sacrifices of soldiers who died in the line of duty. It started as Decoration Day three years after the end of the Civil War to honor the fallen on both sides of that bloody conflict. Gradually, the holiday expanded to include those who died in subsequent wars, and non-military graves of family members were unofficially decorated and commemorated as well.
After World War II, President Truman issued a proclamation for the day to commemorate the deaths of all soldiers, calling for it to be celebrated with prayers for permanent peace worldwide. Sadly, we know all too well that prayers are not enough to end wars or ensure peace.
Deliberate and sustained actions are required. PDA works 24/7, since 2004, to make a case for peace. We are on the phones, in the streets, and in the halls of Congress, advocating for diplomacy over warmongering, de-escalation of conflicts around the world, and honorable and humane treatment of our veterans.
Join our Action Team and/or donate to help build the movement. The cost of inaction is too high for all of us.
In solidarity,
Debra Schrishuhn for the PDA National Team
All my working life I paid for social security. Now you MAGA Republicans want to steel it! You are theaves! What you are doing to Medicaid & Medicare, you are assassins! You were elected by your constituents. You work for them for God’s sake! Do your job!