Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States and falls on the last Monday of May. This holiday dedicated and remembering to those who died while serving our country. The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate dead. “Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.” (United States Department of Veterans Affairs). Memorial Day is more than a day off from work or school, or grilling in your backyard. This day meant to honor the soldiers who have fought and lost their lives, as well as reaching out to veteran community. On this day, many Americans visit cemeteries, hold family gatherings, participate in parades, and spend the day/weekend with family. Also, this log weekend, marks the unofficial starts of summer season.
In order to honor our soldiers, we have to pass their legacy to our children. We have to teach our children Memorial Day is not just a day off, is the day to respect who have fought and their families. It’s a day to respectfully consider the idea of sacrifice, preserve memories of those who died. Visiting Military Memorial museums is another great way to teach history to our children.
Another great way to honor our veterans, is to by donating to Veterans charities, to help our living veterans. Also, you can volunteer at charitable events, ceremonies, and parades that are happening during and before this day. The best place to starts it’s in your community by helping and honoring the spirit of the holiday.
To pay our respect to those who have served in our communities, many towns hosts and operates services and parade. The largest parades in the country takes place in Washington D.C, New York, and Chicago.
Find more parade scheduled in your area here!
Washington Dc.
The National Memorial Day Parade, the country’s largest Memorial Day parade, begins at 2 p.m. Monday.
NewYork
The biggest Memorial Day parade in NYC is on Monday 29th at 1 pm on Grand Ave, in queens at 2pm, in Brooklyn at 78th St and Third Ave at 10am and ends at John Pail Jones Park.
Chicago
The Chicago Memorial Day Parade was held on Saturday, May 27, 2017. The parade took place in Daley Plaza, from State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.
Massachusetts
Many state veteran’s cemeteries host an annual Memorial Day ceremonies in town:
Winchendon Cemetery | Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon | May 29
A 45-minute ceremony begins at 9am
Agawam Cemetery | Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam | May 29
45 minutes ceremony starts at 1pm.
Massachusetts National Cemetery | Bourne | May 28
Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
“I thought how many men like him / Had fallen through the year / How many died on foreign soil? / How many mothers’ tears? / How many Pilots’ planes shot down? / How many died at sea? / How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves? / No, Freedom isn’t free…” — Kelly Strong, “Freedom Isn’t Free”
Find more events happening this Memorial Day weekend at chillwall.com!
By: Shab.Gh
