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

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

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

[Stottie Girl]

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?

[Maid Marion]

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

[Stottie Girl]

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.

[Maid Marion]

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.

[Dawn Kellie]

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.

[Dawn Kellie]

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.

[Rochelle]

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

[KathyLauren]

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.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I just watched the movie Hacksaw Ridge (again).

I always cry watching it. It helps me remember.

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

I 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

[Dawn Kellie]

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

[Dawn Kellie]

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

[Lori Dee ✅]

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.

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

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

[Stottie Girl]

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

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!

[Dawn Kellie]

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!

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

[Stottie Girl]

I 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.

[Dawn Kellie]

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