As I reflected on this Memorial weekend, I was thankful for all the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans.   It was that freedom that so many men and women through time laid down their lives to protect.  I wondered when this tradition began.

According to www.history.com, people began to decorate the graves of the union and confederate soldiers who gave their lives.  In 1868, General Logan officially proclaimed this day as Decoration Day.  In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May and is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  Taps is sounded during each of the 2,500 military wreath ceremonies conducted at the Tomb of the Unknowns every year, including the ones held on Memorial Day.   If you missed the concert aired on PBS, visit the site to view the video clips @ http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/concert/

Our Freedom came at price and we paused for just a moment today to remember those that paid that price for us.