Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, commemorates all men and women who have died in Military Service for the United States.
Officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, it was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on graves of both Union and Confederate Soldiers in Arlington Cemetery.
Traditionally served on May 30th, no matter what day of the week it fell on, in 1968 the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to create three-day weekends. Therefore, since 1971 Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May.
Things you can do on Memorial Day to show support for our fallen soldiers.
- Fly your flag at half mast from dawn until noon.
- Wear a Memorial Poppy.
- Attend a Memorial Day Parade.
- Visit the grave a fallen solider and leave a poppy or a flag.
- Make a donation to your local VFW lodge.
In remembrance of all of our fallen soldiers:
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
