Memorial Day commemorates all men and women who have died in U.S. military service. New Milford will celebrate these heroes on Monday, May 30!
- The Memorial Day Parade in Gaylordsville steps off at 8:00am at New Milford Town Hall.
- The Downtown New Milford Memorial Parade starts at 10:00am in front of the New Milford Library.
Learn more HERE.
Memorial Day Facts (courtesy Town of New Milford)
- Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day.
- The holiday began as a way to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War, but the day now honors all U.S. veterans who have sacrificed their lives.
- There’s a specific way to display the American flag on Memorial Day, according to the U.S. Flag Code: hoist the flag quickly up to full staff at sunrise, then lower to half-staff until noon, and then return to the top of the staff.
- Many veterans, as well as friends and family of veterans, make a pilgrimage to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend.
- In 1971, Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday taking place on the last Monday in May.
- Poppies have become a symbol of Memorial Day because they are mentioned in a 1915 poem by Canadian soldier John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields.”
- Many Americans mark Memorial Day with an official moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
- During the 3 p.m. moment of remembrance on Memorial Day, Amtrak conductors sound one long whistle in honor of those who have died in service.
- Traditionally, American presidents give a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day as an official holiday.
- Some Southern states celebrate a Confederate Memorial Day, or Confederate Heroes Day, in late April, remembering the Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War.
- The first Indianapolis 500 race took place on Memorial Day in 1911.
- The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated by then-Chief Justice William Taft on Memorial Day in 1922.
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