Al's Outreach Outtakes

Memorial Day is a day that we Americans use to honor those that have died in various wars. The tradition started after the end of the Civil War and was then know as Decoration Day. Many small towns across America began remembering the soldiers who had died, and were now buried in their cemeteries, by placing flowers on their graves.

While there is no absolute certainty where this practice began, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, NY the official birthplace. They first celebrated the event on May 5, 1866 with community-wide participation. Two years later there was a call for national recognition on May 30th. Eventually the day became known as Memorial Day and in 1968 Congress passed the act that moved the recognition to the last Monday in May
 
Many still take the time to attend parades or place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers on Monday. While this year we may not be able to do either, please say a prayer for those lives lost in any of the wars in our country’s history as well as for their families. It is through their sacrifices that we remain free.