Memorial Day: The holiday is of considerable importance in American culture. It’s a long, three-day weekend for a lot of us, timed just right to unofficially kick off summer. It’s a great weekend to go for a trip. You can take advantage of sales at the local national chain department store or car dealership. You can spend two-plus hours watching 33 men (and occasionally, a woman) drive in circles 200 times. Speaking for myself, I plan on taking up residence on Coney Island beach.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War… By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Let’s go with that one, shall we?
Brooklyn’s Memorial Day parade is the longest continuously run service in the United States, and has been in Bay Ridge for the past 20 years. It kicks off on Third Avenue at 11am on Monday, May 28, and heads over to John Paul Jones Park for a ceremony that includes a wreath laying, flag raising, playing of Taps, and a 21 gun-salute by soldiers from the Army garrison at Fort Hamilton.
IMPORTANT: The organizers are inviting ALL veterans to march. Veterans do not have to be a member of a service organization. As reported recently by Will Bredderman in the Brooklyn Paper, they are making a specific point to encourage Iraq and Afghanistan vets to take part in the parade. Call the Chief-of-staff, Anthony Giovinco, at 917-664-8850 or 718-748-4530 for more information.
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