BALWIERCZAK & YAMPAGLIA SALUTE AMERICA’S WAR DEAD
Local council hopefuls participate in annual Memorial Day Parade
NORTH ARLINGTON – Memorial Day is a remembrance and tribute to our war dead, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home.
Candidates John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia joined dozens of community groups and organizations to celebrate this day of observance as hundreds looked on to support this special holiday.
Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
It is observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer.
It is a day for visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn the military personnel who died in the line of duty. Volunteers place American flags on the graves of those military personnel in national cemeteries.
Others such as family and friends will also come to lay flowers and grieve on the graves of those who died in the US military.
According to Wikipedia, the first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868. Then known as Decoration Day and observed on May 30th, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the American Civil War.
This national remembrance followed many local observances which were inaugurated between the end of the Civil War and Logan’s declaration. Many cities and people have claimed to be the first to observe it. However, the National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams with originating the idea of “strewing the graves of Civil War soldiers—Union and Confederate” with flowers.
The candidates congratulated the organizers and those who made this year’s parade so successful.
“This is a fantastic community event and we were proud as Americans to participate and salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can all be safe and free. We also salute all current members of the Armed Forces as well as those who are retired and the first responders who continue to keep this nation safe and out of harm’s way,” noted the two locals.
“As the official beginning of the summer season and with our local schools closing shortly, we ask that everyone have a safe and enjoyable summer season.”