Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start to summer, it’s a time for Americans to remember those who have fought and died in service to their country and to honor the nearly 2 million men and women who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy.<\/p>\n

As President Harry S. Truman said, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” Here are some facts about Memorial Day.<\/p>\n

* Memorial Day is separate and distinct from Veterans Day. They are often confused and conflated, but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs explains<\/a>, “Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL<\/strong> those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING<\/strong> veterans for their service.”<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

* Memorial Day was first named Decoration Day. General John Alexander Logan , commander in chief of an organization of Union veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic, started the holiday to honor Union soldiers killed in the Civil War by decorating their graves.<\/p>\n

* As many as 25 towns claim to be the home of Memorial Day according to the VA<\/a>, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the \u201cbirthplace\u201d of Memorial Day in 1966, citing a community-wide event held there in 1866.<\/p>\n

* Northern and Southern states used to honored their fallen Civil War soldiers on different dates and did so until after World War I, at which time the holiday was expanded to include soldiers from all wars.<\/p>\n

* Memorial Day used to be celebrated on May 30th until Congress declared it a national holiday in 1971, stipulating that it was to be celebrated on the last Monday in May pursuant to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

* On Memorial Day, the President or someone he designates lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The first military burials took place there 150 years ago, in May 1864.<\/p>\n

* The National Moment of Remembrance is 3:00 p.m. local time as designated by President Bill Clinton when he signed the “National Moment of Remembrance Act<\/a>” in 2000.
\n