Memorial Day remembrance and traditions

[jymbee]

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday dedicated to honoring and remembering military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

It’s observed on the last Monday of May each year. Many Americans visit cemeteries or memorials, attend parades, fly the U.S. flag, or spend time with family.

Originally called “Decoration Day” after the American Civil War, people decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Over time, it became a national day of remembrance for all U.S. military members who died in service.

A common tradition:

• The U.S. flag is flown at half-staff until noon.
• A National Moment of Remembrance is observed at 3:00 p.m. local time.

 

[John From Detroit]

So many forget that the day honors the folks who warned that award nobody wants. A gold star on the Military wall of honored died in service.

Today (Memorial Sunday) even though I did not personally serve (A couple of my uncles did, in fact all my mother's brothers served. two got the gold star)

I will attend a concert honoring them... In abut 4.75 hours.

One of many across the country today and tomorrow.

I will not forget as so many have what this day cost.

 

[RayIN]

Thank you for posting that jymbee. You are right, the memorial tradition began in the South after the civil war by widows and mothers who honored their dead.
I put flowers on graves of my relatives today, except the most important one. My great-grandfather who served in the civil war; the highway to the cemetery was closed, and the only other route to the cemetery was a 100 mile drive.