GRIFFITH, IN—As Americans observed Memorial Day on May 25, veterans and community members gathered across the country to honor military service members who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
The holiday, often misunderstood as a recognition of all military personnel, is specifically dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives in service. Veterans Day, by contrast, honors all who have served in the military.
Many Americans commemorate Memorial Day in different ways, including visiting cemeteries and war memorials, displaying American flags, and wearing red poppies as symbols of remembrance. Despite the variety of traditions, the purpose remains the same: honoring the sacrifices of fallen service members.
Marine Corps veteran Larry Eckrich said remembering those who served alongside him is an important part of the holiday.
“We always do poppies, so earlier this morning I was at Strack & Van Til,” Eckrich said while attending a Memorial Day event at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Highland. “We do the poppies there, and that’s always a part of the Memorial Day thing.”
Americans are also encouraged to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. During the observance, people pause for one minute of reflection or listen to “Taps,” the 24-note bugle call traditionally played at military funerals, memorial services and flag ceremonies.
Memorial Day traces its origins to 1868, when Gen. John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 establishing Decoration Day to honor soldiers who died during the Civil War. The holiday was later expanded to recognize all U.S. military personnel who died in service and became a federal holiday in 1971. Today, Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday in May.
