Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a national day of remembrance to honor military veterans who have died in service to the United States during peace and war. Since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed as a federal holiday on the last Monday in May each year.
Memorial Day’s origins date back to the U.S. Civil War, when Americans began holding tributes each spring during the late 1860s, placing red poppies and wildflowers on the graves of fallen soldiers who had been killed in battle. General John A. Logan, a leader of Northern Civil War veterans, designated May 30, 1868, as the first official Decoration Day to commemorate soldiers’ sacrifices.
Today, Memorial Day honors more than 1 million men and women who have died in military service since the Civil War began in 1861. It is celebrated as a three-day weekend with modern-day traditions that include a National Moment of Remembrance, the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, and numerous memorial services, parades, and speeches taking place nationwide.
Local Memorial Day Events this Weekend
Various events will be held this weekend, including the following annual displays.
Garden of Flags for Military Heroes
Boston Common
Since 2010, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund and hundreds of volunteers have created a majestic garden of flags on Boston Common for Memorial Day weekend. Each of the 37,000+ flags they plant every year represents every brave Massachusetts service member who gave their life defending our country since the Revolutionary War. The Memorial Day Flag Garden is planned to be on display at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument of Boston Common from Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29.
Operation: Flags for Vets
Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA
Since 2011, Operation: Flags for Vets has honored our beloved veterans by placing over 77,000 flags at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. The placing of the flags will take place on Saturday, May 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A short ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by the placement of the flags. The flags will be on display until Sunday, June 4.
Boots on the Ground for Heroes
Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island
In 2016, Operation Stand Down RI launched the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial which displays almost 7,000 combat boots adorned with flags and placards. Each boot represents the life of a U.S. service member killed in action post 9-11 in the Global War on Terror. The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial will be displayed at Fort Adams in Newport from Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 29. Hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free for all attendees.
Communication developed by Sara MacKenzie.