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 — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Then, at the start of the 20th century, ceremonies were routinely held on May 30 around the country. And after World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all American war fatalities. Congress recognized Decoration Day as a federal holiday in 1938, and the name “Memorial Day” became more commonplace after World War II. Today on Memorial Day, we honor those military members and veterans who have passed away and we pay tribute to them for their service to our nation.In Arizona, there are several Memorial Day Services, including:
- VA’s National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Memorial Day Ceremony
- 8 a.m., Monday, May 29, at 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
- Festivities include a World War II Stearman Group Flyover, a Keynote Speech by Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran and Navy Cross Recipient RJ Mitchell, reading and presentation of the State Proclamation for Memorial Day by Governor Katie Hobbs, a Parade of Colors (American, State and Service flag presentations), music by the Army National Guard Band and wreath laying.
- The event will be broadcast live at 8 a.m. on AZTV7, replacing their regularly scheduled Morning Mix show.
- You can learn more online at https://honoringamericasveterans.org/memorial-day-ceremony/
Each Arizona Department of Veterans Service (ADVS) Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery location will host Memorial Day observance ceremonies on Monday, May 29th.
- Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Marana
- 8 a.m., Monday, May 29 at15950 North Luckett Rd. in Marana, AZ
- Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery
- 8:30 a.m., Monday, May 29th at 1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail in Sierra Vista, AZ
- Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo
- 1 p.m., Monday, May 29 at 14317 Veterans Drive in Bellemont, AZ
- Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa
- 9 a.m. Monday, May 29 at 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207
- Festivities include Legion Riders from Post 27 will place flags on the graves of veterans and pass out water and flowers to guests. Entertainment by The Josh Roy Band – Josh Roy is an American country music singer, songwriter, and Nashville recording artist from AZ. He just released his first single. Donations are being collected for the Homeless Veteran Drive (gently used clothing and toiletries for our homeless vets). There will be free donuts and coffee for all who attend.
- You can learn more online at https://mountainviewfuneralhomeandcemetery.com/event/annual-memorial-day-event/
These are the events I received information about. If you’d like to see other events listed in the future, you can send me an email at paula@pedene.com, and I can post them here and online at my blog at https://paulapedene.com/blog/
