Memorial Day occurs on Monday, May 26, and is observed annually on the last Monday in May. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began with Gen. John Logan, to honor the fallen Soldiers of the Civil War. Today, we now pay tribute to all who gave their lives while protecting and serving their nation.
The first celebration on May 30, 1868, was held at Arlington National Cemetery, with a crowd of 5,000 people decorating the graves of more than 20,000 military personnel with flowers. It wasn’t until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor all veterans who died in any American war. In 1971, Decoration Day became officially known as Memorial Day, and Congress passed an act declaring it a national holiday.
Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the beginning of summer, resulting in many people taking weekend trips or throwing parties. Know and discuss plans of those in your formation, emphasizing risk management for specific activities. Ensure every person knows who to contact in their unit or organization if they need assistance or support. Talk to those in your care about safety considerations.
Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time and increases risk in every situation. Alcohol use or overuse can lead to incidents causing injury, death or criminal charges, which negatively impacts families, units and service members’ careers and wellbeing. Instead, if you choose to drink, do so responsibly; have a plan; and stick with the plan. Never operate any motorized vehicle while drowsy, distracted or impaired. Always buckle up and keep your phone down. Information for watercraft operators in Missouri can be found here.
We hope everyone has a meaningful Memorial Day and holiday weekend, and above all else, stay safe.
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