In the birthplace of Memorial Day, Waterloo, New York, General John Logan proclaimed the 30th of May 1868 be set aside to honor those who died in service:
“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
Later in May of 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson would dedicate the last Monday of every May hold the honor of being Memorial Day – something that is still observed today.
There are many ways to honor the men and women who have laid down their lives for our country. The Washington, DC area has many events that are generally free to attend, so if you are looking to honor these men and women, check your local listings for what might be coming up around you.
Honor Vets at the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally
The Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally brings together motorcycle riders from all over the U.S. to honor POWs and MIAs who served their country during the Vietnam War. This “ride for freedom” draws more than 900,000 riders, featuring a route that starts at the Pentagon and winds through West Potomac Park. The rally goes down on Sunday, May 27.
Attend the largest Memorial Day Parade in the Country
The National Memorial Day Parade ushers marching bands, youth groups, floats, performers and, of course, veterans, down Constitution Avenue. This televised parade is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and honors those who have served or presently serve in the U.S. military. This year’s parade is scheduled for Monday, May 28 at 2 p.m. Arrive early for the best viewing options.
National Memorial Day Concert
PBS’s National Memorial Day Concert salutes the sacrifice made by the men and women in uniform as well as their families. The free annual concert is held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 27 from 8 – 9:30 p.m. Actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna will host the proceedings, which will feature numerous other celebrity performers.
Regardless of what you decide to do, please take a moment for the National Moment of Remembrance, which asks all Americans on Memorial Day “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.’”
Here at BlueStar SeniorTech, we are a company that brings senior care technologies at best prices from a trusted team of veterans. Our seniors and our veterans are just two of the groups we are passionate to support. It is important for us at BlueStar to honor these men and women who sacrificed so much so we can do what we do to help our veteran and senior community.
If you or a loved one is in need of solutions to help you live safe, healthy and connected, give us a call or visit us on the web.
