Email   Print   Share By Col. Mark Freitag, Fort Hood Garrison Commander

Facebook Digg Delicious May 24, 2012 | Editorial

Traditionally, Americans take a day once a year to remember those who have died in our nation’s service. That day is called “Memorial Day” and we get the day off since it’s a federal holiday. Sadly, however, many Americans enjoy the holiday as we ramp up for summer but do little to reflect on why it’s a holiday.

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, following the Civil War. Flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The country was still healing from the wounds of war, and this recognition helped all to remember the loss to America as a whole.

It wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day was officially recognized as a national holiday, when Congress passed the National Holiday Act and marked the fourth Monday in May as Memorial Day.

As a child, I remember going to local parades in towns outside the military bases on which my Family lived. Bands played, local organizations marched along and there was a lot of flag waving. It wasn’t until I was in junior high and living in Northern Virginia that the significance of Memorial Day really hit me. My dad took my mom, my sister and me to Arlington National Cemetery to watch the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

As we walked through the cemetery, I was overwhelmed by the number of head stones, all marked with a small American Flag - row after row - they seemed to go on for miles. I could not help to think about all those Families affected by the loss of their service member. It was an emotional event in my life, and one that I will never forget - all those lives given for this nation and the American people.

So, as we head into a four-day weekend and focus on the beginning of summer, take a moment or two to remember those who have died in our nation’s service. In fact, take a moment to remember at 3 p.m. on Monday for the National Moment of Remembrance.

Here are some of the local Memorial Day activities happening this weekend:



Harker Heights

A Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. It will travel down FM2410 from Harker Heights High School to Harker Heights City Hall. A ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Veteran’s Monument located 305 Miller’s Crossing.



Killeen

The Killeen Memorial Day Ceremony is 9 a.m. Monday at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Before the ceremony, motorcyclists will meet at Freedom Jeep Chrysler in Killeen at 7 a.m., and they will leave for the ceremony at 8:15 a.m.



Copperas Cove

The Copperas Cove VFW 8577 Ceremony is 8:30 a.m. Monday at the grave of Olan Forest Smith in Copperas Cove Cemetery, 415 Ave. A.



Kempner

The Kempner Memorial Day Ceremony is 10 a.m. Monday at Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park U.S. Hwy 190.



Salado

The Salado Cemetery Association will host a traditional Memorial Day service 9 a.m. Monday at the historic cemetery on Baines Street in Salado.