Memorial Day 2011

How do you celebrate the heroes of the past? 

I grew up in a city that strives on the four military bases that reside in and around the city limits. Uniformed men and women nearly anywhere you go is our norm here. I have many a friends and family that have made the choice of protecting our country, keeping our land free and our life comfortable. Thank you! Thank you to those heroes who came before us, the heroes of today and those to come!

Taken by my friend, Krystyn at the flag
ceremony for her father, Dude.

The history of Memorial Day
(Decoration Day prior to 1967)
"First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War. It was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. The first known observance of Memorial Day was in Charleston, South Carolina in 1865. The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. Many people observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at National Cemeteries." - Memorial Day

This "holiday" has gotten more commercial over the years, and many have forgotten what it truly is for, those who gave their lives for their country, their families and  for my freedom. So please, if you see a HERO, thank them, today, tomorrow, and any day of the year, you never know they may be part of next years Memorial Day service.