MEMORIAL DAY is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military.

Originally known as DECORATION DAY, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

The purpose of MEMORIAL DAY is to “memorialize” the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  The day is dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and how their efforts have secured the constitutional freedoms that we rely on today.

MEMORIAL DAY commemorates the men and women who died while in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

The fact is:  anyone experiencing the horrors of combat, whether a battle casualty or not, has also been deeply wounded in ways unseen, often resulting in a shortened lifespan.

Today we remember the fallen, and honor their service and sacrifice.