Memorial Day 2015: Observe & Remember

Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States that commemorates the men and women who gave their lives to their country while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday was first observed in honor of the Union soldiers of the American Civil War.

After World War I, the holiday was expanded to include the casualties of any U.S. war or military action. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of the month of May. The holiday was formerly known as Decoration Day.

This vintage photograph shows this author’s grandfather marching in a parade, circa 1931. He is the drummer who is second from the right in the photograph.