MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day or Decoration Day as it use to be called, is a day for remembering and honoring the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Services.  Memorial Day was held on May 30th from 1868 to 1970 but was then changed to be observed on the last Monday of May.

 

******* One tradition that is celebrated at the many Memorial Day events is the United States flag quickly being raised to the top of flagpole, then slowly lowered to half-mast, and then raised again to full height. The time at half-mast is meant to honor the fallen United States soldiers who have died for their country over the years. Re-raising the flag is meant to symbolize the resolve of the living to carry on the fight for freedom so that the nation’s heroes will not have died in vain.

 

In the United States, we have two special holidays which are not to be confused with each other.  Memorial Day is a day to remember the brave men and women who died while serving in our country’s armed forces.  Many people say, “Happy Memorial Day” but there is nothing happy about this day when so many loved ones lost their lives to keep others free. The other special holiday is Veterans Day which is observed every year on November 11.  This holiday honors all military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces.  For both holidays, NEVER FORGET those who served to help keep us free. My husband, an Army veteran who lost many in his unit while serving, proudly displays this on his bike tag.  He remembers them EVERYDAY, not just today.

Americans observe one minute of silence at 3:00PM on Memorial Day to honor those who sacrificed their lives for us, please take a minute to honor those who never made it home.