The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed over 620,000 lives - more lives than any conflict in U.S. history. It required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. In 1868, May 30th was declared a day to remember those fallen in the Civil War. The date May 30th was chosen primarily because it was not a date of any particular battle over the years of the war. Initially called Decoration Day, in 1967 the name was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971 the date was changed to the last Monday in May. Memorial Day, a federal holiday is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women.

World War II (1939-1945) claimed over American 405,000 lives. We lost over 36,500 in the Korean War (1950-53), 58,000 in the Vietnam War (1965-1973), and over 7,000 in the War on Terror (2001-2021). All of these men and women served to protect the American way of life. It’s too late; we can’t thank them. But we can honor them. We can remember them. And Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to do just that. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for two minutes of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

The American Legion Post 212 will be holding a short ceremony at the Union County Veterans Wall on Memorial Day, Monday May 27th at 11:00 to honor those who gave their all. Please be there.