Memorial Day: Celebrate, Remember and Honor

Memorial Day is a special day of the year to remember, honor and celebrate the countless heroes who gave their lives preserving freedom and democracy. It honors the heroic US Military members who died while serving their country. Memorial Day is celebrated annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day began shortly after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a day meant to honor deceased Union soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. During the late 19th century, Decoration Day evolved into Memorial Day and was officially declared a federal holiday in 1971. It is now considered a day of remembrance for all men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Commemorating Memorial Day

Since its conception, many Americans remember and honor our nation’s fallen heroes on Memorial Day. Most commonly, flags are placed at cemeteries to honor veterans. A nationwide moment of silence at 3:00 pm is an important part of the celebration, as well as attending ceremonies, events, and parades that honor fallen soldiers. Organizations such as the American legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars conduct events and services where veterans can gather together in honor of their fallen comrades.

Even though the end of Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, we must never forget to honor the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Memorial Day will continue to be observed as a special day to commemorate the brave men and women who dedicated their lives to protect our freedom and way of life.