This Monday, May 30th, Communication Concepts’ office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.
On this national holiday, we honor the men and women in the armed forces who have given their lives serving their country. This has been an important tradition going back to the independence of the thirteen colonies in which our Founders penned in the Declaration, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
Many Americans do not know the origin of the holiday of Memorial Day.
It was originally called “Decoration Day”, and was first celebrated by grieving women in Columbus, Georgia in 1866 after the end of the Civil War. They decorated the graves of perished soldiers to honor their sacrifice. Soon after that, the practice spread throughout the southern states as well as in parts of the north. Two years later, it was eventually adopted by the United States, and the first national celebration took place at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30th to honor all US soldiers throughout the union.
In 1971, the holiday’s date was officially changed to the last Monday in the month of May. And in observance of the solemn occasion, each year a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as well as an American flag on every service member’s grave.
All American flags are to be raised at sunrise, then immediately lowered to half-staff until noon.
We remember and thank all those who have served and sacrificed for this great country.