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USA -  Honoring fallen soldiers - Memorial Day - Monday, May 25, 2026

One of the most profound and serious holidays in the USA is the upcoming Memorial Day...
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Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed annually on the
last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while
serving in the U.S. military.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and
became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials and decorating fallen
military members graves with American Flags.
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Americans also observe Memorial Day by holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

I am forever thankful to those fallen military members who died all around the world
while defending our country and our freedoms.

THANK YOU to those that are are aware of what Memorial Day really means.

Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
                                      US Air Force Veteran... served right after college.
                                      1st Lt   First Lieutenant
                                      Much of my time at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
                                      Staff at the Air Education and Training Command

We in Europe recognise the scarifice so many young Americans gave to help us win our freedom from oppression.

We recognise the fallen of all nations, in all conflicts on November 11 at 11:00am which is the moment the WW1 Armistice came into effect in 1918. This is a very poigniant moment for us and a lot of Brits will go to their own town or village war memorial (nearly every community will have one, usually in the centre of the town) for a service of rememberance. This used to be attended by a parade of veterans but they have nearly all gone. The army and air cadets often step into this role which I think is a great way to pass on the importance of these events. The larger events have active service personnel and Veterans. As I have mentioned before, I am not not religious but this is one church service I never miss.

I do have to wonder why is it 25th May? Is that a significant date for Americans?

In 1968, Congress changed its observance to the last Monday in May, and in 1971 standardized its name as "Memorial Day. 
from wikipedia

We like our three day weekends.

I went to a forty minute memorial parade on Main Street yesterday, under the threat of cloudy skies and the prediction of rain.  It ended with a light rain.

Based on the weather report, I dressed in my black Goretex golfing rain clothes, with a hot pink fleece jacket underneath you couldn't see but something to keep me warm in the cool 13 degree Celsius weather.  I had feminine touches to my outfit.  I wore a dusty pink wide brimmed hat, a pink hair tie, and floral shoes.  I did my nails in crave the chaos pink Expressie nail polish.  I brought my big charcoal-fuschia umbrella to stay dry.  A respectful outfit to honor the fallen.

Marion

So it is just a random date picked by your government, no historical significance? I see you do have Veterans day on Nov 11 too. Whatever you do on your memorial day, I hope you have a nice day off.

I should have clarified the rememberance services do not always fall on the 11th in the UK as it is always the the second Sunday of Novemeber (closest to Nov 11th) On the 11th itself everyone stops at precisely 11:00am for a 2 minute silence. This is usually anounced on tannoys and church bells everywhere. People stop still in shops, places of work, everywhere and observe the silence. It is a beautiful way to remember them. Some younger people do not do this and I worry that we are loosing this tradition over time.

Yes, we will be celebrating Veteran's Day on November 11th, a Wednesday.
I grow a gorgeous red rose called Veterans' Honor.  It once won "best red rose."  I was told that it narrowly missed out on "Best of Show."  It is a fussy Hybrid Tea rose that is hard to grow in New England.

Memorial Day recognizes those that have fallen.
Veterans Day recognizes those that made it home.

It was decided that the distinction should be made to honor both but separately.

For any American a visit to Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers is amazing. It's a very somber event. I've done it multiple times. I was also able to find the graves of past family members.

To all who served and gave everything for our nation, I am deeply grateful for their service and will never forget their sacrifice for our country and for their fellow citizens. Even with all that is happening in the world, I cannot forgot those who gave all for us to exist as a nation and in defense of other nations. I do remember honoring Remembrance Day while station in the UK.

US Air Force Retired (22 yrs)
MSgt Master Sergeant
Served at several locations, stateside and in Europe

In Canada, we remember our fallen soldiers On Remembrance Day, which is always observed on Nov 11th, no matter what day of the week it falls on.  While the primary focus is on the dead, we don't have a separate veterans' day, so we also honour our living veterans on that day, too. 

My father and my father-in-law were both WW2 veterans.  Though they both came home with their bodies intact, they left a part of themselves on the battlefields.  My wife and I both feel strongly about honouring both the dead and the living for the sacrifices that they made for us.  Every year, we attend small town Remembrance Day ceremonies.

I join with my American friends in honouring their war dead.

I just watched the movie Hacksaw Ridge (again).

I always cry watching it. It helps me remember.

Quote from: Lori Dee on May 24, 2026, 08:42:01 PMI just watched the movie Hacksaw Ridge (again).

I always cry watching it. It helps me remember.

    @Lori Dee
Dear Lori:
I agree with you about movies like Hacksaw Ridge.  There are many similar war movies
that I repeatedly watch, and for certain I keep a box of tissues handy to wipe up my tears.
 
I think every person needs to get an idea about what combat troops go through
and experience in war.
Way too many are cut down and never make it back home alive.  Very sobering.

This is the main reason why Memorial Day and Remembrance Day are important for
all to understand.

Thank you LoriDee for sharing your thoughts.

Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
  Forum Admin    Direct Email:  alaskandanielle@yahoo.com
                                      US Air Force Veteran... served right after college.
                                      1st Lt   First Lieutenant
                                      Much of my time at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
                                      Staff at the Air Education and Training Command

Another good one is We Were Soldiers, for a Civil War movie the 1993 Gettysburg. With Sam Elliot, Tom Berringer and Martin Sheen. During filming they only used 1/3 of the powder charges in the cannons.
My family and I did some Civil War reenacting. Being in front of a Napoleon cannons when it goes off is impressive

To everyone who lost a member of you family that served and never came home, they are remembered.


I served but don't consider myself a veteran.  I was never deployed so I don't know what those that have deployed went through. The best I can do is respect and remember.

If you served and are suffering please know you are not alone. Don't give the enemy a late win

Every year, I used to visit the Black Hills National Cemetery and empty my penny collection.

For those unfamiliar, coins on a headstone convey respect and remembrance for the family or others who visit the grave.

If you leave a penny, it means you visited.

A nickel means that you and the deceased soldier trained at boot camp together.

If you served with the soldier, you leave a dime.

A quarter is very significant because it means that you were there when that soldier was killed.

Proper etiquette is not to touch the coins. Eventually, the cemetery collects them and adds them to their donations box.

Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, is a "day of remembrance"

The day is also seen as a time of prayer, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A 2026 proclamation calls on Americans to "observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their
individual religious faith, for permanent peace."

Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
  Forum Admin    Direct Email:  alaskandanielle@yahoo.com
                                      US Air Force Veteran... served right after college.
                                      1st Lt   First Lieutenant
                                      Much of my time at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
                                      Staff at the Air Education and Training Command

Quote from: Dawn Kellie on May 25, 2026, 06:07:18 AMAnother good one is We Were Soldiers, for a Civil War movie the 1993 Gettysburg. With Sam Elliot, Tom Berringer and Martin Sheen. During filming they only used 1/3 of the powder charges in the cannons.
My family and I did some Civil War reenacting. Being in front of a Napoleon cannons when it goes off is impressive

I must admit to being a fan of most war movies. I have favourites though, from our side I love "A Bridge to Far" it's about operation market garden and the attempt to take the bridge at Arnhem (my great uncle Jabus was in this battle and sadly died in Arnhem after 4 days fighting, I have his war medals), 1917 (a more recent masterpiece), "The Cruel Sea", "The Dambusters", "The Heroes of Telemark" and my all time favourite, "The Battle of Britain".

US ones? I would agree "Hacksaw Ridge" is pretty epic as is "The Thin Red Line" and "Platoon" and you can't ignore "Saving Private Ryan". Ooooh plus "Kellys Heroes" is incredible fun, part heist, part war movie and part comedy, it has everything!

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 25, 2026, 11:43:46 AMI must admit to being a fan of most war movies. I have favourites though, from our side I love "A Bridge to Far" it's about operation market garden and the attempt to take the bridge at Arnhem (my great uncle Jabus was in this battle and sadly died in Arnhem after 4 days fighting, I have his war medals), 1917 (a more recent masterpiece), "The Cruel Sea", "The Dambusters", "The Heroes of Telemark" and my all time favourite, "The Battle of Britain".

US ones? I would agree "Hacksaw Ridge" is pretty epic as is "The Thin Red Line" and "Platoon" and you can't ignore "Saving Private Ryan". Ooooh plus "Kellys Heroes" is incredible fun, part heist, part war movie and part comedy, it has everything!

I do like Kelly's Heros. Don't forget the Big Red 1. 

Quote from: Dawn Kellie on May 25, 2026, 11:50:00 AMI do like Kelly's Heros. Don't forget the Big Red 1. 

Don't think I've ever seen that one. I've heard of it though.

ooh another one is Master & Commander - The far side of the world. A brilliant naval war film from the Napoleonic wars.

I still fall back on Gettysburg. It's a 3 hour movie. It was well done and has so many big names.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 25, 2026, 11:43:46 AMmy all time favourite, "The Battle of Britain".

I'm not normally a big fan of war movies, but that one was a classic.  I remember watching it at the university's Friday Flix not long after it first came out.

I served two tours in the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division - Forward), so that is a good one. A Bridge Too Far was a favorite growing up.

If you want something a bit more modern and has a heist involved, check out
Three Kings with George Clooney. Who doesn't like stealing gold bars? Unrealistic, but based on a true story.

                  World War2 movies on my frequent viewing list:

Midway (1976)
    Every Memorial Day this is the very first movie on my list  (original 1976 movie)
The movie is based on the American Navy victory off of Midway Island in the Pacific.
Large international cast in includes:  Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda,James Coburn,
                                          Glenn Ford, Ed Nelson, Hal Holbrook, Robert Webber,
                                          Toshiro Mifune, Robert Mitchum, Cliff Robertson,
                                          Robert Wagner, Pat Morita, Dabney Coleman,
                                          Erik Estrada and Tom Selleck.

Patton (1970)  Patton is an American epic biographical war film about US General George S. Patton during World War II.
It stars George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden ..."Patton" tells the tale of General George S. Patton,
famous tank commander of World War II. The film begins with Patton's career in North Africa and progresses
through the invasion of Germany and the fall of the Third Reich.
               
      The Great Escape (1963)  (Paul Newman) [Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out of a POW camp

              The Big Red One (1980)(Lee Marvin) [U.S. 1st Infantry Division]
                                        A hardened sergeant and the four core members of his infantry unit
                                        try to survive World War II as they move from battle to battle
                                        throughout Europe.

                    Pearl Harbor (2001) [The attack on Pearl Harbor and the stories involved with
                                  the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF)- eventually became the USAF

                          In Harms Way (1965)  (John Wayne and Kirk Douglas)  [US Navy in the Pacific]

                                Operation Pacific (1951(US Navy Submarine movie) (John Wayne)
     
                                    MacArthur  [1977]  (Gregory Peck)
                                          The story of General of the US Army, Douglas MacArthur,
                                          Supreme Allied Commander during World War II and United Nations
                                          Commander for the Korean War.                             
                            "MacArthur" begins in 1942, following the fall of Phillipines, and covers the
                              remarkable career of this military legend up through and  including the Korean War
                              and into MacArthur's days of forced retirement after being dismissed from his
                              post by President Truman.

There are more for sure.....
Danielle [Northern Star Girl}

I forgot about Midway! I have that one too.

Patton is one of my favorites, as he was my favorite Tank Commander. He did so much for the Tank Corps that nobody really knows about. Little things like the uniqueness of our uniforms, to battle strategies that were virtually unknown on the modern battlefield.

A World War II veteran had no one left to bury him. Then 1,500 strangers showed up.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-war-ii-veteran-1500-strangers/
CBS News - David Begnaud
May 25, 2026 / 3:23 PM EDT

John Bernard Arnold III knew loss before he knew much else. His mom died when he was young, and he grew up in foster care before serving in World War II for the Navy.

His great love in life was making people laugh; he was a passionate magician who never married or had any children. When he died on May 6, there was no one left to bury him.

That is, until Terrance O'Keefe of Hanover-Hanson Veteran Services put out a call to give Arnold a proper send-off. "We planned for the entire state to at least show up," he said.

The community delivered.

Arnold had planned his funeral more than a decade ago, and his instructions were clear: a Catholic Mass, no eulogy. He just wanted people to know that he believed and he served.

At the cemetery, Arnold was sent off under a cloudless sky with bagpipes and a gun salute. The flag from his casket was given to the man who ran the veterans home where Arnold spent his final years.

And one more twist: The story spread, and Arnold's great-nephew, Joe Durban, recognized his name and flew to Massachusetts to receive Arnold's flag and visit his family member's grave.

Arnold may not have wanted a eulogy, but he got 1,500 souls instead.

------------------------------

🫡

We should often remember our fallen soldiers.  They gave it all.


Thank you men and women.


Chrissy

Quote from: KathyLauren on May 25, 2026, 02:55:04 PMI'm not normally a big fan of war movies, but that one was a classic.  I remember watching it at the university's Friday Flix not long after it first came out.

Somehow I had a feeling you would have liked that one. It has the best aerial photography ever! A hell of a cast too. I've lost count how many times I've watched it.

Quote from: Lori Dee on May 25, 2026, 03:54:35 PMI served two tours in the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division - Forward), so that is a good one. A Bridge Too Far was a favorite growing up.

If you want something a bit more modern and has a heist involved, check out
Three Kings with George Clooney. Who doesn't like stealing gold bars? Unrealistic, but based on a true story.

Agreed, Three Kings was fun, kind of a modern Kellys Heroes

There was a wonderful story back in 2019 regarding a memorial service for the crew of a US B-17 bomber that crashed in an urban park during the war.

A little boy who saw the plane crash had been going back to the site and tending to a memorial ever since, he was 82 in 2019 and was still doing it.

UK TV presenter Dan Walker was out walking his dog in the park and got chatting to him and was so moved by the story he arranged for a full military honours service and a Flypast from both the RAF and the USAF. The USAF did that beautiful thing where one jet peels off out of formation up into to the sky. It was very moving. We never forget what happened and the sacrifice so many made.