"Memorial Day"

1. What is memorial day? a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered, traditionally observed on May 30 but now officially observed on the last Monday in May.

2.When is it? Monday, May 30

3. What are some ways to show honor and respect on memorial day? 

Make a soldier’s day by writing a thank-you card or note to send overseas

Show honor and respect by visiting a local veteran’s cemetery, or war memorial.

Go to a Memorial Day Parade or watch the National Memorial Day Parade on television.

Enjoy freedom by spending time with your family.

Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-like "dinner on the grounds," the traditional term for a potluck meal at a church. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.

6. Enjoy freedom by spending time with your family.

7. Memorial Day is much more than the pool opening, the beginning of summer, or getting an extra day off. It is a day set aside to honor men and women who have lost their lives serving the United States of America. Originally called Decoration Day, it began May 30 of 1868 as a day for decorating the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. Joining the military can be very costly, with the highest possible price being life. Since 1775, more than 1.8 million have paid this ultimate price.