Memorial Day meaning

I'm State Senator Joan Ballweg. Memorial Day was originally founded as America was breathing the last gasps of the Civil War. As the death toll reached a ...

I hope everyone is able to take pause this weekend, honor our fallen neighbors and give thought to their families, friends and those who love them. It’s no secret that the traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. In this grieving process, mourning families laid wreaths and flowers on their loved ones graves.

One of the most memorable words were from a retired soldier: “Young people, do not forget how many people have died so that you may enjoy freedom today.”

The gathering has become a traditional part of Memorial Day in Maury County. The poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrane, M.D., was written while he served on the front lines in 1915. Sometimes veterans will distribute the poppies, and in turn, receive a small donation. The inscription reads: “Honoring all who served and in everlasting memory of those from Maury County who made the supreme sacrifice.” The Gold Star Memorial stands on the lawn too. At the courthouse near the large monument at 9 a.m. will be placed a red, white, and blue wreath. He saved many lives by returning eight grenades but lost his own when the ninth grenade exploded in his hand. As they were bombarded with grenades, he began to toss the grenades back, according to county historical accounts. The 40 & 8 designation comes from WW I when the train cars were able to transport 40 men or eight horses. According to historical accounts, more than 25 cities claim to have had the first Decoration Day. Even now, the Carter’s Creek community meets at Lasting Hope Cemetery for a business meeting, but it's still called Decoration Day. In the United States, that day was set aside to tend to cemeteries and to place flowers on graves. Farmers who planted corn or soybeans can almost see the crops growing.

Declared a national holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, the tradition of honoring fallen soldiers on Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War.

The New York community formally honored local veterans May 5, 1866 by closing businesses and lowering flags at half-staff. General Ulysses S. Grant presided over the first large observance, a crowd of about 5,000 people, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on May 30, 1873. The day that we celebrate Memorial Day is believed to be influenced by Illinois U.S. Representative John A. Logan, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in November 1858, and served as an officer during the Mexican War. In 2000 The National Moment of Remembrance Act – which created the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance and encourages all to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence – was signed into law by Congress and the President. It is said that Logan, a staunch defender of the Union, believed Memorial Day should occur when flowers are in full bloom across the country, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Army. Now Memorial Day is observed as the last Monday of May. Congress passed an act making May 30 a holiday in the District of Columbia in 1888, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. Memorial Day and Veterans Day both honor the sacrifices made by U.S. Veterans but serve different purposes. Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11 to signify the Armistice that ended combat in World War I in 1918. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the Civil War era, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? At least 25 places in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. Some states that claim ownership of the origins include Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, according to Veterans Affairs.

The purpose of the federal holiday is to remember and honor our U.S. military personnel who died in service to this country. Author: Veronica Ortega. Published: ...

Members of a local Marine Corp Junior ROTC program carry the colors during a Memorial Day. American flags, church services, parades and poppies in May mean ...

Politicians and pundits often say those freedoms are under attack. Remember that on Election Day or the next time you get a jury duty summons. Perhaps pay a visit to one of them this weekend and consider what those honored there sacrificed. We honor that sacrifice every time we vote in an election, serve on a jury, attend a protest or even publicly air a grievance. We cannot ever repay what these brave men and women have done for us. It honors the sacrifices U.S. military personnel have made to defend our freedom.

“We will be having a Memorial Day ceremony on 29 May starting at 11 a.m. at Clinton Grove Cemetery, followed by a smaller ceremony at the veterans memorial near ...

The Eastpointe Memorial Day parade is at 11 a.m. Monday, May 30. On Monday, May 30 the chapter and its honor guard, The Point Team, perform the military honors at a Catholic Mass at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township. Another ceremony follows in the veterans section of the cemetery. There is a parade in downtown New Baltimore at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30. “I plan on discussing the true meaning of Memorial Day and what it means to me.” Hotdogs, water and chips will be served by the Eastwood Odd Fellows 496. The clubroom is closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. Although the event is attended by at least 100 or more people every year, they are almost all members of the veterans organizations, and very few members of the public. At 3 p.m. on Monday, May 30 there is a national one-minute of silence. Besides the millions of Americans who have died in wartime, there are more than a thousand veterans passing away every day. When it ends, the city conducts a Memorial Day ceremony. Then the post holds an open house from noon to 6 p.m. at 28404 Jefferson Ave. Post members hope more people will join as members or auxiliary members. The Roseville Optimist Club and VFW Post 6691 will participate in the Roseville Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30 along Common Road, between Utica Road and Gratiot Avenue. A ceremony in front of Roseville City Hall honoring soldiers killed in war follows the parade.

Bob Weller served in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965 as an electronic technician. He is also the commander of the American Legion Post 10 in Wausau. To him, ...

He believes the meaning of Memorial Day gets more and more diluted every year. He said those celebrations change the atmosphere of what veterans are doing to commemorate those who lost their lives while serving. Bob Weller served in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965 as an electronic technician.

Ron Swaim, commander of Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, was among the Madison County residents who talked about their Memorial Day plans and traditions ...

“Aunt Rose passed away a few years and we sometimes still go out to that ceremony, but it was special going out there with her. “Our family usually has a barbecue, and my dad is the grill master. “Uncle Charlie’s flag was always one of those and we took pictures every year of Aunt Rose standing next to his flag. “My dad was a Korean War vet, and he was always involved with the American Legion. It seemed like there was always some kind of memorial that we went to. We always made sure that we had a remembrance of what the holiday was all about.” “We have a friend who does a big barbecue, so we go there and spend time with friends and family,” Risavy said. Me and my brothers and sisters always seem to find a way to watch one of those races. “We did the ceremony every year and when I got active here seven years ago, I got to be part of the color guard. “It gives me great pride that we can help veterans in need so they can try to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Ahasay said. “I can’t help but think of my dad (Bob Werden) who was a World War II veteran,” Werden said. You hear Taps eight to 10 times that day and it tears at your heartstrings every time you hear it.” “Then we go to Woodlawn Cemetery at 10 a.m. and there will be another ceremony there.”

Don Bishop, a Marine who manned artillery in Vietnam back in 1969 and 1970, provided a generational explanation about the current reality of this holiday.

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – As we head into a big holiday weekend, many of us are excited for cooking out and enjoying the outdoors. Since the 1860s, Memorial ...

Monday will be a day to honor those who've died while serving our country. We met with a local veteran to hear what this time means to him. Kyle McCloud owns ...

Memorial Day is really for those who didn’t make it either that war overseas or the war at home,” he said. “One of the best ways we can honor those who no didn’t make it home is to embrace our families, the things that help us on a day-to-day basis, and the things they fought for,” he said. “Memorial Day is not the celebration of the average veteran.

In 1868, a Civil War veteran, General Logan ordered for the graves of service members who died on duty to be decorated with flowers and wreaths alongside ...

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died, but never got out of uniform and they died in their uniform," said Blakesly. "And then Veteran’s Day in, of course, November is to pay tribute to those individuals who, you know, were able to hang up their uniform. Number one being Armed Forces Day, that’s a day set aside to honor those who are currently wearing the uniform. Not knowing whether we would need it again or not, but if we needed to we’d put it on and go back in.”

A Northland family is sharing the true meaning of Memorial Day in honor of their loved one, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger, who paid the ultimate price.

So, it is kind of our responsibility to tell people," he said. "See it as just this opportunity to kind of tell their stories because nobody else can anymore, right? "His dad fought and died for our country, and he has been able to see a lot of people surround me and surround him and surround Patrick. It's been pretty cool," Colleen Katzenberger said.

Ricardo "Rick" Crocker is a name not forgotten in Santa Monica. He was a SMPD officer and a U.S. Marine who served in the Iraq War.

The chief of the Santa Monica PD Ramon Batista addressed the crowd of about 100 runners. Crocker's picture was front and center on the t-shirts of 5k runners. Ahead of Memorial Day, a 5k run/walk was held in his honor at the Santa Monica Pier.

Local veterans shared how while they hope everyone takes advantage of the long weekend, they are also hoping people will take some time to remember those ...

The veterans shared that the holiday is about thinking about those who made it back as well, and are asking people to treat everyday like it is Veterans Day. "It is six degrees of separation. "Take a minute to recognize the people who have made that ultimate sacrifice for the country," said Cook.

We heartily recommend the annual ceremony at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at 10 a.m. Monday. David Buchy, commander of American Legion Post ...

As we increasingly stand divided, a time to honor those who gave their lives to defend our freedom and the principles of our democracy is even more meaningful. Don’t allow Monday to be entirely about the finishing of school years, opening of pools and shopping for bargains. Take more than a cursory pause between bites of barbecue and leaps off the diving board. We heartily recommend the annual ceremony at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at 10 a.m. Monday. David Buchy, commander of American Legion Post 88, will serve as master of ceremonies, and the keynote speaker will be U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Beeson. Members of the Horton Wreath Society will continue their tradition of placing American flags on all graves prior to the ceremony. We have our share of important symbols to their sacrifices made here in Suffolk and encourage you to visit one. Even if you can’t attend the ceremony, take a ride out to the cemetery this holiday weekend, soak in one of the most beautiful scenes you’ll see in Suffolk, and take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of those whose graves are marked.

Our country marks Memorial Day as a time to remember and honor those who have sacrificed everything for our freedom. For military families, it's a pain that ...

In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended the honor to all soldiers who died in American wars. Over the ...

— Journal of the Annual Encampment of the Department of Michigan, Grand Army of the Republic, Vol. 33. — Fink, Jenni, “Origin of Memorial Day: What Memorial Day Means and How It Got Started.” May 31, 2021. Today, cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.” The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs states that local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. Part of that can be traced to countless magazines and websites, such as PBS, which states in part: “Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. Rather, the date comes from Logan’s General Orders Number 11, which was issued to the GAR departments of the states in which Civil War veterans had organized GAR posts. “Records show that by 1865, Mississippi, Virginia, and South Carolina all had precedents for Memorial Day,” the LOC stated. But that wasn’t the original purpose of the day — and its evolution over the years has been rife with controversy.” For his combat heroism, which cost him his right arm, Inouye was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with Cluster. The U.S. Senate’s website page for Inouye says in 2013, Inouye was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, becoming the first — and to date, only — senator to receive both the Medal of Freedom and the Medal of Honor. Perhaps that is because shining a spotlight on “who,” journalists, historians and others can avoid making it obvious that they have lost sight of “why.” Sadly, there is ample evidence to support this. Over the 51 years since that change was made, it has been steadily gaining critics who want the day or remembrance returned to Sunday, as Logan had originally intended.

While Memorial Day allows most Americans a three-day weekend, it's really a solemn day meant to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom.

It truly is a way to remember those who "have given their last measure of devotion" to their country. It truly drives home the real meaning of this day. Memorial day is not about barbecues and the unofficial start of summer.

Rudy Rudolph offers a reminder about the true meaning of Memorial Day - a dedication to the memory of members of the Armed Forces who've died in service.

But it is important for all of us to keep in mind the reason we have this holiday. Here in Michigan, it may be the date we target to launch our boat for the season. This coming Monday is Memorial Day in the United States. Since 1971, Memorial Day has been defined as the last Monday in the month of May. For many of us, it is a weekend that commemorates the “beginning of summer,” replete with family gatherings and barbecues.