Let’s Not Forget What Memorial Day Weekend is Really All About - The High Cost of Freedom.

It is a Federal holiday honoring members of the United States Armed Forces who have died in war or while otherwise serving their country. In the USA it began as Decoration Day following the Civil War, because the living would honor the dead by decorating their graves.

Memorial Day used to be held on May 30 regardless, and was moved to the last Monday in May in 1968 to create a three-day annual weekend. Interestingly there are those who oppose the weekend idea and advocate its return to fixed date, including the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW). In the Eighties Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye, himself a WWII veteran, introduced legislation (unsuccessful) to return the original date. The idea is that if Memorial Day was not simply a long weekend holiday for going to the beach and grilling, more Americans might actually realize that it has a deeper and much more somber meaning.

Observe the National Moment of Remembrance. The Moment occurs on Memorial Day, 3 PM, local time, for only 1 minute. Participation is easy and completely voluntary.

The White House Commission on Remembrance urges Americans to observe in their own way. Ring a bell. Say a prayer. Salute the flag.
You could even call your favorite radio or TV station ahead of time and request that they play “Taps” at that time.
According to the Commission’s website: ‘In May 1996, the idea of the Moment was born when children touring Washington, D.C., were asked what Memorial Day meant. They responded, “That’s the day the pools open!” ’ Since then, the Commission has been dedicated to making Americans aware of observing the Moment.
To read more about it, go to: http://www.remember.gov/moment/about_event.cfm

To the members of the United States Armed Services, past and present, thank you for your service.