Memorial Day is not about the first day of summer, barbeques, picnics and the beach. It’s about the sacrifice.

Here’s a quick primer on Memorial Day and why it’s important to remember those who served and lost their lives. More than one million made that ultimate sacrifice so that our freedom is protected. Today is a day to honor those who have fallen.

The day of Remembrance as it was initially called was to recognize the those who died in the Civil War. The inception of the holiday dates to May 5th, 1886 at Waterloo, New York

The Day of Remembrance became Decoration Day in 1868 by General John A. Logan.

Logan oversaw an organization called Northern Civil War veterans. It was Logan who formalized the day by calling for a nationwide day of remembrance in late May.

Logan proclaimed: “The 30th of May 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,”

The first official Decoration Day, was presided by General James Garfield at Arlington National Cemetery where 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. Garfield went on to become the 20th president of the United States. He was assassinated in September of his inaugural year.

Even though Garfield sought to honor Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington northern and southern states honored the fallen on separate dates until World War I. World War I galvanized the holiday to not only remember Union and Confederate soldiers but all U.S. soldiers of all wars.

In 1968, Memorial Day was enacted by Congress as the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal employees in 1971 Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

More on our veterans:

Inspiration – Harvard, Military & Politics

Now a US congressman from Arizona former Marine, Gallego also pushes for the success of fellow veterans. Ruben was responsible for changing Arizona law to ensure honorably discharged veterans receive in-state tuition upon their return from the military.

What is the one thing Gallego wants the state of Arizona to know?

I’m really trying my best, he says. I think a lot of times politicians fall short of expectations, but I’m always trying 100 percent.

Hispanics Have Been Making Their Mark in the US Armed Forces

Hispanic American Veterans

Hispanic veterans have served in every conflict since the Revolutionary War. Latino contributions increasingly enjoy mainstream recognition from the media.

Honor and Fidelity – The 65th Infantry Regiment

Business loans and resources offer new opportunities to returning veterans.

Hispanic Veterans include Medal of Honor recipients.

Medal of Honor Recipients- Many Hispanics

The medal of honor award ceremony presided over by President Obama recognized 24, most of which were Hispanic.

In March 2014 Of the 24 awarded the medal of honor the three living recipients were surprised they were finally recognized.

Hispanic vets often transition to entrepreneurial careers.

From Veteran to Hispanic Entrepreneur

Hispanic vets often transition to entrepreneurial careers.

Hispanic veterans, Latino business, small business, Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients, Latino politics, organizations that promote entrepreneurship, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, Latin Vision Finance, Arizona State Representative Ruben Gallego, Hispanic veterans contributions, vets returning from Afghanistan, SBA.

Hispanics in Military Service

The first U.S. soldier killed in action in Iraq was a Latino. Jose Gutierrez, who arrived in this country as an undocumented child from Guatemala, hid in a train in order to cross the Mexican border into the U.S. He gave his life for his adopted country at the age of 22.

Hispanics make up a small but growing segment of the Armed Forces. In the Iraq War, many Latinos served their country with distinction. Five of the 12 soldiers who were awarded the Navy Cross were Hispanic. Hispanic Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez served as the chief of forces in Iraq for 18 months.