Memorial Day is a moment to be united in Remembering and Honoring the men and women who died serving in the United States military.
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a solemn day of National Mourning to reflect on veterans and military personnel who are deceased.
Please consider adding any of the following to your Memorial Day celebration.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
Service members, veterans and their families know there is a big difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a day set aside to celebrate all veterans, Memorial Day is a somber holiday dedicated to honor military fallen, with a special focus on those killed during military service or through enemy contact.
Both holidays often include parades, ceremonies and celebrations. But although Memorial Day also traditionally marks the beginning of summer with picnics and parties, many in the military community believe that at least a portion of it should be spent to mourn and honor the fallen.
Most Americans visit the national cemeteries where they lay flowers and flags on the graves. It is also a tradition to host the flag at half-mast until noon. Given that the memorial weekend is very long, you can attend sporting events, picnics, BBQs, spend time with family or donate to an organization that serves veterans. Most retail shops hold a week-long Memorial Day sale making it a great weekend to go shopping with family and friends. If you would rather go outdoors, then plan to attend a memorial parade near your town.
