By Kelly Maue
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May. This solemn day of remembrance honors the men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces.
There is some debate as to the holiday’s origins. During and following the Civil War, different groups decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers – a practice that has been documented as far back as the Classical Roman era. But the National Cemetery Administration, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits a particular group of women in Columbus, Georgia, with being the first to do so in an organized fashion in America. Mary Ann Williams and the Ladies Memorial Association decorated the graves of the war dead and even lobbied for an official Memorial Day in 1866.
Two years later, the first national observance was led by the former Civil War general John Logan, who issued the “Memorial Day Order.” On May 30, 1868, Logan and thousands of supporters placed flags and flowers on the graves of soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. He called it “Decoration Day,” and the goal was to ease tensions between the North and South after the Civil War. The tradition spread throughout the states, and following World War I, it became widely accepted as a national holiday to honor all who died in wartime.
Memorial Day was observed annually on May 30 until Congress voted to create a uniform structure of federal Monday holidays in 1968. After this legislation was passed, Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May.
Another law pertaining to Memorial Day was passed in 2000. President Bill Clinton signed The National Moment of Remembrance Act, which asks Americans to observe a moment of silence at 3:00 pm local time in honor of those who died while serving their country. This was an effort to remind Americans of the true significance of the holiday.
In addition to the 3 pm minute of silence, there are more meaningful ways to participate in this somber holiday, such as displaying the flag, learning about your own family’s military history, visiting local cemeteries, decorating graves, and attending memorials, parades, and community events.
A national event to watch from home is the official observance at Arlington National Cemetery, which will be livestreamed at 12:00 p.m. EST. This momentous ceremony honors the unidentified remains of service members from WW I, WW II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
To attend a Memorial Day service in person, there are options in the St. Louis area. The Soldiers Memorial Military Museum will feature a wreath-laying ceremony, a musical tribute, and a chance for visitors to lay flowers in honor of fallen service members. And Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day service, including an endeavor called “The Honor Project.” This effort enlists volunteers to lay commemorative tokens at the gravesites, an effort surely inspired by a similar tradition.
Perhaps you have noticed coins left behind on headstones – but what do they signify? A penny simply means someone visited the grave. However, if the visitor served with the deceased at boot camp, a nickel is left behind; a dime signifies the visitor and deceased served together. A quarter means the visitor was someone who was physically with the service member at the time of death.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the cost of freedom. Don’t let the day pass by without honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Enjoy some relevant content from HEC Media:
The Alton Memorial Day Parade is the oldest consecutively running parade of its kind in the country
The Alton Jaeger Guard, a group of Illinois infantrymen that served in the Civil War
A look inside the Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis
Songs 4 Soldiers is a non-profit based in Columbia, IL that helps combat veterans
Hear from veterans from five wars ( WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Iraq) on the topic of Honoring Our Nation’s Veterans
Meet WW II veteran and hero Adolphus Thaddeus Watson
