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• memorial •

Pronunciation: mê-mor-i-êl • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun

Meaning: 1. [Adjective] Designed to evoke remembrance of a person, persons, or historical event. 2. [Noun] A monument commemorating a person, persons, or historical event. 3. [Noun] A service or artifact designed to evoke remembrance of a person or event.

Notes: The origin of Memorial Day is a bit cloudy. It began during or right after the Civil War as informal trips to cemeteries where flowers were placed on the graves of soldiers fallen in battle. It became such a popular spring event that General John Logan proclaimed Memorial Day a holiday on May 5, 1868. It was first officially observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington Cemetery. It spread, state by state, across the nation. The southern states refused to recognize it until after World War I.

In Play: At Alpha Dictionary we are all thinking of those who have given, are giving, and will give their lives for all the causes to which our governent has led us. May we all remember the sacrifices that we are commemorating this Memorial Day, whether we attend the parades or not.

Word History: Today's word comes from Late Latin memoriale, the neuter of Latin memorialis "related to memory". The adjective is based on memoria "memory", a partial reduplication of the root mor- "think about, remember", me-mor-, the initial consonant having been repeated as a prefix. We use the Latin word itself in the phrase in memoriam "in memory (of)", often carved on memorials to those we love and respect. With the suffix -n, the same stem became mourn in English, where wars always lead our memories.

I propose we institute a new national holiday, "Immemorial Day;" a day "reaching beyond the limits of memory, tradition, or recorded history." That way we would have a day for all the nameless things we have forgotten, never remembered in the first place, or established a tradition.

"Immemorial Day" would merely complement--not replace--"Memorial Day" which would carry on the grand tradition of honoring veterans.

April 1st has been taken. Any suggestions?

I'd suggest 31 October, but it's been taken too.

Reminds me of the Athens statue in the Book of Acts "to an unknown god." also covers all the bases. And a frequent lay prayer around here, " bless all those for whom it is our duty to pray." huh? Heard it a thousand times and still don't get it.

I've heard: "Lord bless those for whom I've promised
to pray, but have forgotten".

Now THAT one hits home.