The U.S. celebrated Memorial Day on Monday, honoring Americans who died while serving the country. Memorial Day was originally proclaimed in 1868 as “Decoration Day” but eventually came to be known as Memorial Day. It was also originally celebrated on May 30, but after several decades, it was changed to be celebrated on the final Monday in May.
The branches of the U.S. military and the Department of Defense shared posts and videos honoring the day.
The U.S. Army tweeted a video along with a quote from John F. Kennedy, which said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
The video includes a reading of the poem “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” attributed to David M. Romano.
The branch shared another video showing Taps played at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“The origin of ‘Taps,’ the distinctive bugle melody played at U.S. military funerals and memorials and as a lights-out signal to soldiers at night, dates back to the American Civil War. Taps is also how #WeRemember our fallen,” the Army tweeted.
The Navy shared a video calling on the public to join the branch is taking a 60-second moment of silence at 3 p.m. EST to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“Please join the #USNavy for a moment of silence at 3 PM (local time) to pay tribute to those who have gone before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We have the watch,” the branch tweeted.
The Navy also cautioned the public from using referring to the day as “happy” as is customary with other holidays.
“Today. Forget the sales. Resist the urge to wish anyone a ‘happy’ MemorialDay. Today isn’t THAT day. Today, is a day to #RemembertheFallen. To honor them through memory and continuing service to our nation; and to each other. Rest well, shipmates. We have the watch,” the Navy tweeted.
The Air Force posted a tweet calling on the public to honor the fallen.
“Honor them. On Memorial Day, we remember the service members who died while serving in the U.S. military. May they rest in peace. What are you doing today to honor them?” the Air Force tweeted.
The Marine Corps posted footage of Marines in battles throughout history, followed with their subsequent memorials to put the sacrifice of service members into perspective.
“Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor the service members who never made it out of uniform; the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” the Marines tweeted.
The Coast Guard also tweeted a video showing fallen service members being laid to rest.
“On #MemorialDay we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice; let us commemorate their courage, commitment, and service to our country,” the Coast Guard tweeted.
The U.S. Department of Defense also shared a tweet to honor the fallen.
“Today we commemorate Memorial Day and honor the sacrifices of all those who ensured the freedom we enjoy today. We will never forget,” the department tweeted.
