Memorial Day is far more than just the official opening of the summer season, it is the day to remember our service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all enjoy our freedom.
The first official creation of Memorial Day – “Decoration Day” – came on May 5, 1868, when General John Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11, setting May 30 as the day when flowers would be placed at the graves of both Union and Confederate dead at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
New York was the first to recognize “Decoration Day” as a state holiday in 1873.
It was not until after World War I that the day was declared to honor the memory of those who died in all of America’s wars. In 1971, an act of Congress declared that Memorial Day would be observed on the last Monday in May.
During Memorial Day Weekend, from Douglaston to Maspeth, College Point to Howard Beach and many other communities in between, thousands of people – young and old – will turn out to march in and watch the Memorial Day parades around the borough.
They will salute out flag as is passes by at the different parades to pay respect to our current U.S. military members, veterans and especially for those who lost their lives fighting for the United States of America in foreign lands.
Since 2000, “The National Moment of Remembrance” has been observed at 3 p.m. local time throughout the U.S.; Americans are encouraged to observe one minute of silence to remember the fallen.
This year as the bands play and the floats roll by, we hope that the local politicians and other celebration attendees will pause and give some special thought to the brave Navy Seal team that risked their lives on the assault on Osama Bin Laden’s home in Pakistan.
Their actions in killing the Al Qaeda leader who order the attacks on 9/11 have given our country its collective dignity back, providing closure for many families and friends of the victims and to those of our Armed Forces who have given their lives and limbs in the War on Terrorism.
We say a prayer for our fallen and salute our military!
