What do you do on Memorial Day? 

By Tessa Mansfield 

Memorial Day is a day that students at Lenape grew up knowing as a day off from school due to the facts kids cannot always grasp the concepts of holidays or traditions. They only know the excitement of what comes with them. The excitement that comes with Memorial Day in a kid’s eyes is a beautiful day off from school in the nice weather and a nice family outing that gives them time to get energy out. Now that they are in their coming on late teen years it is easier to understand and that is what brought upon the idea to ask students and teachers about their experiences and feelings around Memorial Day. Here will be some insight on what youth of Lenape Technical Highschool school have to say. 

When speaking to a Lenape senior student Keyera Douglass about what she does on Memorial Day she responded with, my family celebrates Memorial Day by taking a trip up to our family camp in Potter County. We usually help with a chicken roast and fishing derby on Saturday at the Sportsman’s club. When asked, “What are your thoughts and feelings on Memorial Day?” Keyera responded with “I feel Memorial Day is a very important holiday to honor everyone that served for us.” When asked, “do you have anyone close to you that you celebrate during Memorial Day?” she responded with “my family doesn’t celebrate anyone in particular but I think it’s important that you do if you have a close family member that served” 

When asked, a Lenape academic teacher Mrs. Lisa Boyle, about Memorial Day this was her response. For the Boyle Memorial Day celebration, she said, “we normally go camping for a day or 2”. When asked what her thoughts and feelings on Memorial Day were? She responded; “it is a needed holiday to remember U.S. military personnel who died in service. It also represents to me the beginning of the summer season, picnics, and warmer weather!” When asked if she has anyone close to her that she celebrated during Memorial Day? She responded with, “my parents always had picnics from when I was little and then when I got older, they went camping. The campground would have activities for us to do.” 

When speaking to a Lenape senior student Zack Miller about Memorial Day these were his responses. When asked, “Do you celebrate Memorial Day and if so, how?” he responded with “On Memorial Day me and my parents and some of our family will have a fire and do fireworks and roast marshmallows and have smore’s.” When asked, “What are your thoughts and feelings on Memorial Day?” Zack responded with; “Memorial Day is particularly important because it shows people that we are free because of the people who fight for us.” when questions on who he celebrates with on Memorial Day he responded with “my cousins and my parents and grandparents are the ones we celebrate with”  

Memorial Day is defined as “a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. From 1868 to 1970 it was observed on May 30” Memorial Day is a day of mourning but in America it is a day of celebration, to celebrate the people who held all the courage and strength within their hearts. It is believed to be one of the most important holidays.