Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, citizens celebrate and honor those who fought and gave their lives for this American motto.
Memorial day is a commemorative day established by General John A. Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. He said, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
“You honor those that gave their lives by living the freedoms that they help provide. (Memorial Day) is a day that I live life in a way that honors their sacrifice and what they would want me to be doing because of what they sacrificed,” said 2nd Lt. Tanner Johnson of the active U.S. Marine Corps.
Through both local and national activities, Americans all over the country celebrate the lives of their loved ones that have valiantly given their lives for our country.
“We hope to provide a peaceful atmosphere for those that come to visit and reflect. There are a lot of family celebrations and groups come and do family history for their loved ones here. It is a place of peace and tranquility. Families are unified,” said Brenda Brown of the Provo City Cemetery Division.
In an effort to teach their children the importance of remembering their loved ones who have sacrificed on their behalf, Aubrey Black and her family plan to visit their great-grandfather’s grave this coming Memorial Day at the Provo City Cemetery.
“I would go and visit (my great-grandfather) every Sunday and just talk to him. We became good friends and I was very sad when my parents told me he was gone. It was my last day in the MTC,” Black said.
Also offered at the Provo City Cemetery are aids to help locate grave sites and loved ones. In addition, golf carts will be available to help those with disabilities. The Provo City Cemetery will be hosting their Veteran’s Day program at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30. Other memorials available in nearby cities are the Lindon Memorial Day Ceremony and the Run of Remembrance and breakfast in American Fork.
In December 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed inviting those around the nation to come together in a moment of silence on Memorial Day to honor our fallen veterans. The moment of silence will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 30.
