Memorial Day Celebration, South Burlington, VT

Memorial Day Celebration Event, South Burlington Veterans Park, May 27, 2016. 

Presentation of Colors
Invocation
Maj General Stephen Cray
Placing of Wreath
SBHS Chamber Singers
Event sponsored by Veterans Memorial Committee  

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.^[1] The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May,^[2] originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.^[3] By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.~Wikipedia

"Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. 

Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

 ~M. Paquette

Dick Boera, Essex, VT.
WWII veteran.

Donald Johnstone Ph.D., long-time resident of South Burlington.
Served in Europe during WWII.

Memorial Day. A time of remembrance of those who gave all for their country. A time more, I think, of mourning than celebration.

A time to reflect and remember the extreme cost of war.

There must be a better way - Will we elevate the cost of soldiers (and civilians) lives over the (often false) sense that war will resolve a (perceived or real) evil?

~Bernie 

                                            Honor, Reflect, Remember

                                     Miss you Dad. 
                           Happy Memorial Day!