Gordon Forgey

Memorial Day weekend will be studded with ceremonies, parades and memorials. It is an important national holiday and an old American tradition.

The inspiration to create a day to commemorate those killed in the service of their country began to spread state by state after the Civil War.

At first, it was called Decoration Day, due to the practice of decorating grave sites and memorials.

The day was dedicated to war dead, but now it is more than just honoring our nation’s soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Gradually, the commemoration broadened to become the time to remember all those who...