Open in browser Thanks for being a paid subscriber of Duffel Blog and making this newsletter possible. This post is for paid subscribers only, but it’s okay to forward once in a while. New Memorial Day poll: Americans grateful for good food, cheap stuff National pool opening day, according to most citizens.

Looking to learn more about Memorial Day? A Duffel Blog poll of thousands of Real Americans from around the country can help answer some of your questions.

What is Memorial Day?

Starting with the big picture, we asked respondents to share, in their own words, what exactly Memorial Day is. Roughly three-quarters of Americans agree that Memorial Day constitutes both the day when pools open across the country, and when that one comic book movie premiers in theaters. And two-thirds also agree that it is a series of days where things you might need or want are on sale.

A smaller but still sizable portion of respondents — likely recreational sailors or professional croquet players — look forward to the holiday and its accompanying social permission to wear white pants. A small fraction of respondents — within the margin of error for this very statistically sound poll — said something about the troops.

What were people dying for?

After clarifying to respondents that, before this holiday became all of the aforementioned, it was meant to remember those who died in military service, we asked respondents to tell us why they thought our fallen heroes made the ultimate sacrifice.

An overwhelming majority agreed across four categories.

How should we talk about the holiday?

Some people don’t know many veterans and struggle with what to say when the topic of Memorial Day comes up in conversation.

Here’s a look at what Americans think you should do or say when you find yourself in that situation.

How to mark the occasion?

As we all know, the ‘why’ of something doesn’t really matter. In the famous last words of American hero Nathan Hale, “YOLO, amirite?” It’s more about what we’re doing right now.

Here’s how Americans around the country will mark Memorial Day on Monday.

Duffel Blog’s poll was cut short after all respondents began shouting “USA” and lighting off fireworks inside their homes.

Task Force Football Bat has “Chicken Fried” stuck in his head again, and he isn’t thrilled about it. W.E. Linde contributed to this report.