Decoration Day

As you know, Memorial Day is a holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War – it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War – it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer just as Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the season.
Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the Civil War, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. It also became a day increasingly devoted to family get-togethers, trips to the beach, and picnics and barbeques. from Wikipedia.
Ever since I can remember, we've gone to visit the graves of our grandparents and other relatives on Memorial Day. This usually involved making a trip to Utah from Idaho and visiting the graves of our ancestors in Clarkston and in Providence. Since my Dad passed away in 1983, we've made many trips to his grave site with our family. It is a good time to remember those who have gone before and to think of their good lives and the examples the set for the rest of us to follow. I'll be forever grateful for our ancestors and for their devotion to duty, honor, freedom and family. It was a beautiful day to be out in the various cemeteries we visited and to be grateful for our heritage and ancestors.