Memorial Day – A Time to Remember

While  Memorial Day often evokes thoughts of cookouts and great sales, this article helps us view Memorial Day from a veteran’s perspective: Letter to the Editor

It is important to reflect on, and respect all those who have lost their lives in service to our country. Falling on the last Monday of every May, Memorial Day became a Federal Holiday in 1971 and is celebrated by loved ones and families that visit graves, memorials, or simply remember those they have lost.

Here are some facts about Memorial day you may not know about (courtesy of History.com):

• It was originally known as Decoration Day
• It is believed to have started in towns during the Civil War, their residents decorating graves with flowers and reciting prayers
• It is often regarded as marking the beginning of summer
• There is a national moment of silence every Memorial Day at 3:00PM local time
• Many Southern states honored their dead on separate days from the rest of the country until after WWI

Even though the Civil War saw more American casualties than any other U.S. conflict, people gather every year to honor not only their fallen, but opposition as well, a tradition that has continued since the late 1800’s.

We want to thank those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation as we remember you on Memorial Day!