Happy Memorial Day from the Jefferson County Post
Memorial Day 2016 has arrived and with it the unofficial start to summer! Though most associate Memorial Day with boating, picnics and family time, the actual origin of Memorial Day goes back to the Civil War. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was set aside to recognize those that have fallen in service to their Country. Unlike Veteran’s Day,which honors all who have served the Nation and kept her safe, Memorial Day is a time to remember those heroes who died for the freedoms and principals of those they defended.
Decoration Day was observed by both the North and South following the Civil War. After the end of World War I, a movement to include the fallen from World War I meant a more unified day of remembrance and the observance of May 30th as a day to honor those that died in the line of duty to the nation grew to include other soldiers from other wars. In 1968, Congress, as a part of the Uniform Holidays Act, moved to make the last Monday in May Memorial Day and in 1971 Memorial Day found its permanent home on the last Monday in May.
