Each year on Memorial Day a national moment
of remembrance takes place
at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Watch Video
Includes all ribbons, badges, insignia, and unlimited photos
One of the Earliest Memorial Day Ceremonies Was Held by Freed Slaves
Memorial Day History
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
Early Observances of Memorial Day
Local Observances Claim To Be First
springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. the women placed some of their flowers on those graves.
Gather your Veteran's discharge certificate, if available, along with all service photos, medals and awards, insignia, badges and citations.
Work with your Veteran to enter as much information as possible into the Help Guide. Mark all the medal ribbons, insignia and badges awarded. Scan discharge certificate and service photos to upload to their service page photo albums.
Now you are ready to start building their military service page which you can invite other family members to view or assist with.
If you no longer have the discharge certificate for your Veteran, you may request a copy HERE.
Official Birthplace Declared
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events.
A complete service history will appear, complete with medal ribbons worn exactly as on uniform with all badges, insignia and unit patches correctly displayed.
Add their photos to their photo albums - an album is available for each event in their service career - boot camp, unit assignment or duty station, combat operation etc.
Click on the 'Shadow Box' link on their military service page to view a unique and beautifully illustrated presentation of your Veteran's military service which can be shared, via a personal web address, or printed out and framed.
Some States Have Confederate Observances
Many Southern states also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.
Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview designed to help you record any information about key people and events your Veteran may have told you about their military service. You can support these Reflections with inserted photos.
Once their written Reflections is completed, your Veteran is well prepared to recount their military memories in a video record if you choose to do so.
Using the Reflections interview questions to guide the session, record your Veteran remembering their service using any recording device - smartphone, tablet or video camera. You can now upload your video to their Together We Served military service page for the most complete, most shareable, record of your Veteran's military history available.