Memorial Day ceremony is Monday
May 20—BROADWAY — American Legion Post 347 will host a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. on May 27 at the North Carolina Veterans Memorial in Broadway.
The annual commemoration features speakers, remembrances and prayers, according to the Lee County Veterans Council. Everyone is invited to attend.
Memorial Day began as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action.
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that from 1971, the Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May.
There are a number of upcoming events as well, including a D-Day commemoration at 9:30 a.m. on June 6, also at the North Carolina Veterans Memorial in Broadway. DAV Chapter 5 is hosting the event and retired Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher will be the guest speaker. Everyone is invited, and attendees are asked to bring their own chairs.
This year will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II. This event was a key battle that ultimately led to the liberation of Europe.
Sanford VFW Post 5631 has plans to observe Flag Day on June 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Post, which is located off Hawkins Avenue on Veterans Way.
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution adopting the flag for the first 13 colonies that comprised the United States.
At the event, old and worn out flags will be properly disposed of in a solemn ceremony.
Once a flag has deteriorated to where it can no longer be displayed, the U.S. Flag Code calls for it to be disposed of in a dignified manner.
