Americans today, as every last Monday of May, visit national cemeteries and memorials, to place the U.S. flag on each hero’s grave giving thanks to all the soldiers who died in military service for the freedom of the country.
“On this Memorial Day, I know that everybody is remembering the fallen soldiers who’ve paid the ultimate price for our country. And it’s a country we all love,” President Trump said at his video posted to his Twitter account early morning on the Memorial Day.
The U.S. President, of course, didn’t pay respect to the heroes only through his Social Media account, President Trump participated in a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery later Monday morning.
“Arlington is a special place and our country is a special place. As Americans, we come together to remember our great heroes on this Memorial Day. Thank you,” the president concluded in his video.
On the Annual Decoration Days, people get together on the family graveyard, some travel hundreds of miles, to decorate with flowers their ancestors' graves and renew contacts with relatives kinda of a family reunion. There often is a religious service and a picnic-like "dinner on the grounds," the traditional term for a potluck meal at a church.
The first Civil War soldier's grave was decorated by women on June 3, 1861, in Warrenton, Virginia. But, Boalsburg in Pennsylvania promotes itself as the birthplace of Memorial Day because right there on July 4, 1864, was held a ceremony of commemoration at the soldiers' graves which was decorated by the ladies.
On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff just to be solemnly lowered to the half-staff position. At noon it is raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.
Thousands of parades are being held today in cities across the United States. Overall military theme with Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard and Veteran service members are marching along with military vehicles from various wars.
The National Memorial Day Concert will pay respect today to all men and women who gave their lives for their country on the west lawn of the United States Capitol.