Honoring Our Fallen

Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Served

Honoring Our Fallen

Memorial Day, a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, is a day to remember and honor the men and women who have died while serving in the United States military.

Nearly 160 years after the end of the American Civil War, the true origins of Memorial Day remain unclear. However, it is believed that the holiday began as a way to honor the fallen soldiers of that conflict. In 1868, General John A. Logan, the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans, issued an order calling for a day of remembrance for the soldiers who had died during the war. The first Decoration Day, as it was then known, was observed on May 30, 1868, in Arlington National Cemetery.

Over the years, Memorial Day has evolved into a day of remembrance for all American service members who have died in the line of duty. It is a day to honor their sacrifice and to remember the price that has been paid for our freedom.