As the nation prepares to observe Memorial Day this year, a new survey sponsored by USAA reveals the lack of understanding about the true meaning of Memorial Day, with many observing the holiday in ways that don’t align with the day’s true purpose.
With that in mind, USAA is seeking to help the nation increase its understanding of the holiday while also providing an opportunity to honor and remember America's military men and women who lost their lives in service to their country with its Poppy Wall of Honor.
According to the survey, conducted by Endeavor Analytics and YouGov, only 46 percent of U.S. adults correctly responded that the primary reason for observing Memorial Day is to honor military service members who lost their lives in military conflict.
Nearly half of respondents (45 percent) believe an appropriate way to observe Memorial Day is to wish a veteran a “Happy Memorial Day” and/or thank them for their service.
To help educate, the USAA Poppy Wall of Honor – a temporary installation honoring the more than 600,000 American service members who gave their lives in service to our nation since World War I – will return to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for Memorial Day weekend. Since its first appearance publicly on the National Mall in 2018, more than 50,000 visitors have visited the site and paid their respects to fallen service members while learning more about the holiday.
“As Americans enjoy their freedoms this holiday weekend surrounded by friends and family, it is important to remember the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend those freedoms, which is the true meaning of Memorial Day,” said Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Richardson, senior vice president, head of military affairs at USAA.
“The USAA Poppy Wall of Honor is a unifying symbol for all Americans, reminding us of the humbling reality that our freedom isn’t free. Through the Wall, we seek to educate and inspire all Americans to take time this Memorial Day weekend to pause, honor and remember each of our fallen service members, and stand by their families who carry the weight of their absence every day," he added.
The Poppy Wall of Honor will be on display May 24-26 on the National Mall at the base of the Lincoln Memorial between the Reflecting Pool and Korean War Memorial.
This year’s Poppy Wall of Honor experience includes new features such as a 22’ wide x 11’ tall LED wall enhancement that will immerse visitors in poppy fields and an excerpt from the poem “We Shall Keep The Faith” by Moina Michael. The poem establishes the poppy as a symbol of remembrance before visitors walk along the panels containing more than 600,000 of the red poppy flowers – each representing a life lived and lost in service to our country.
A special panel commemorating the 80th anniversary of the U.S. military lives lost during D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy during WWII, is also new this year.
Visitors may view the Poppy Wall of Honor during the following days and times: Friday, May 24: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST; Saturday, May 25: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, May 26: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.