Memorial Day is Monday, May 31

 

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday in May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces.

Surprisingly, Memorial Day, which has been around for over 100 years, didn’t become an official federal holiday until 1971 when Congress passed the National Holiday Act, creating a three-day weekend at the end of May.

Postal facilities that are open on the holiday fly the U.S. flag and the POW-MIA flag at half-staff from sunrise (or the hour when it’s raised) until noon.

You can commemorate Memorial Day by 1.) Attending a local parade or ceremony, 2.) Decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with American flags, 3.) Thank a veteran, 4.) Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance (at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, pause for one minute wherever you are); 5.) Buy a poppy – the official memorial flower – from your local VFW chapter.

Graves are marked with U.S. flags at Arlington National Cemetery on a past Memorial Day.

Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.