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MEMORIAL DAY
May 31
This day was set aside by Congress in 1971 to
remember veterans who have died. It really began shortly after the
Civil
War and was called Decoration Day but every state celebrated it on a
different
day. On this day living veterans participate in a program where
they
put an American flag on every veteran's grave in every cemetery.
Families also remember their deceased love ones
by decorating their graves with flowers.
As a child I remember going to all my
grandparents
and great grandparents graves
and how proud I was to see the American flag
waving next to my grandfathers' graves.
We would take Iris, Peonies and Snow Ball Bush
flowers.
It was a quiet and reflective day where mother
would tell us about our heritage.
Now it has become more commercial and people
buy artificial flowers to put on graves.
The president of the United States also
participates
in a Memorial Day celebration. He always puts a wreath of flowers
on the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery in
Virginia.
This tomb is where an unidentified veteran from each war is
placed
to commemorate all the veterans who have died with honor and have not
been
identified.
is played on a bugle.
Branches of the US Military
Air
force- They protect us in
aircraft,
(Planes, helicopters)
Army
- soldiers- They fight on
land.
Coast Guard- They protect the
coast
(shoreline) around the United States.
Marines-
They fight where they
are needed.
Navy-
sailors- They mainly use
ships and submarines.
National Guard-They help during natural disasters (hurricanes,
tornadoes, earthquakes and are on call at all times when our nation
needs them.
Reserves- They are people who are part time soldiers and can be called to fight at a minutes notice.
They hold other jobs too.
Links
http://wilstar.com/holidays/memday.htm
http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
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