Military Monday - Memorial Day Celebrations

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward


Memorial Day

May 25 (observed)

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States.  We take the time to remember the people who died while serving in this country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. 

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veteran Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

What do you do on Memorial Day? Do you go to your local cemetery? Does your local cemetery have an observance for the day? Do you help put out flags on the veterans graves? How do you honor our fallen veterans? 

My local cemetery is Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights, California.  .... The community seems to come together for a couple of hours and enjoys the program. I would love to invite you to our humble cemetery to share our observance with you. The Citrus Heights post of the American Legion #637 and the Veteran of Foreign Wars will hold a Memorial Day service at the Veterans Memorial and gazebo located at the Sylvan Cemetery at 7401 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights. This service will honor those who served and died in the defense of this great nation. Invited speakers are Supervisor 4th District Roberta MacGlashan, Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost, Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd and members of the Citrus Heights city council. Others present will be Citrus Heights Boy Scout Troop #228, and Folsom Harmony Express singers, the Citrus Heights Police Department Honor Guard and bugler Ray Latimer. 
10:30 am Veterans assemble at south end of cemetery. The procession along the 'Avenue of Flags' concluding at the Veterans Memorial. 
11:00 am  Memorial service in the cemetery's gazebo with local leaders, American Legion, VFW and singers.
See you there...... 

I will be honoring my father again.....US Army Retired Lt Col John Patterson Gardner Jr 1917-2006
Thank you for your service.





Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
Click here for details.