Washington, D.C. – Each year, as the last Monday in May approaches, Americans come together to honor the brave souls who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is more than a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer—it is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom and the extraordinary individuals who paid that price on our behalf.
The roots of Memorial Day trace back to a spring day in 1868 when the head of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans, called for a nationwide tribute. Known then as Decoration Day, it was first officially observed on May 30th. General John A. Logan chose the date deliberately, believing flowers would be in bloom across the country—a simple, beautiful gesture to adorn the graves of fallen soldiers.
That first observance took place at Arlington National Cemetery, with 5,000 people in attendance, including General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant. Children from orphan homes and veterans walked through the cemetery grounds, gently laying flowers on both Union and Confederate graves. They prayed, they sang, and they remembered.
Long before that official observance, communities across the country were already finding ways to honor the fallen. In Columbus, Mississippi, women laid flowers on the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers in 1866, moved by a sense of shared loss. Across towns in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, ceremonies sprouted up—each one rooted in grief, love, and gratitude.
In 1966, Congress officially recognized Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day, though nearly 25 locations across the nation claim their own beginnings. By the 20th century, the day had grown to include the fallen from all American wars, becoming the national holiday we observe today.
Though traditions vary, one custom remains steady: placing flags and flowers on graves, a gesture now shared by generations of families. Whether at national cemeteries or quiet family plots, Americans mark the day with reverence and remembrance.
In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, calling on all Americans to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time for a moment of silence. It’s a small act, but one filled with meaning—an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the lives given so we may live free.
As we gather with loved ones this Memorial Day—whether through parades, ceremonies, or quiet reflection—let us not forget the true meaning of the day. Let us honor not just with words, but with hearts full of gratitude and actions worthy of their sacrifice.
May we always remember. May we always honor. And may we never take our freedom for granted.
