Memorial Day: Who Will You Be Honoring?

Monday we will take a break from work and school to recognize Memorial Day.

Historically, it started as Decoration Day, a fixed holiday on May 30, so named in 1868 as a day to break from the routine of life and honor our Civil War dead by decorating their graves.

Much about how we celebrate this day has changed over time, including when we celebrate, and even the holiday's name.

Too many of us take for granted the opportunity to remember those who have served and died. We sleep in, plan a picnic or barbecue, head to the beach or the mountains for some relaxation and family time.

And that's all good.

But especially now that so many of us here at home understand, first-hand, the sacrifice made by those who serve in the U.S. military, we thought it would be a great way to put into words what we might forget to say the other 364 days of the year.

You can plan to attend this year's Memorial Day Parade, which begins at 9:45 a.m. behind Town Hall on Janes Avenue and moves along Main Street, before stopping at Baxter Park for ceremonies at 10 a.m. The parade will resume from Baxter Park and head to Vine Lake Cemetery before finishing up at the American Legion Hall.

In the meantime, you can easily upload photos, remembrances, poems, videos, of your loved ones here, or send them to jeremie.smith@patch.com.