Featured image above: The square in Cuthbert on Memorial Day.
Like so many other things, Memorial Day 2020 was different from any other Memorial Day in the lifetime of most people alive today due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cuthbert square was decorated with American Flags at every entrance and many homes were flying the flag from front porch posts the same as most years.
What was different this year were the choices of activities, all the theme parks and water parks were closed, no city celebrations to honor our fallen soldiers. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The holiday has been observed on the last Monday of May since 1970, from 1868 to 1970 it was observed on May 30.
Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial start of summer activities. In 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance was initiated and asks that all Americans, at 3:00 p.m., pause from any action or activity to somehow honor the deceased of our many wars. This year, in Fort Gaines, the Moment of Remembrance was observed by the playing of Taps over the loudspeakers.
The original name for the holiday was Decoration Day and commemorated the deceased of the Civil War. Southern women are said to have started the tradition of decorating the graves of Confederate Soldiers with flags and flowers. After WWI the Day was adjusted to celebrate the deceased in all wars. On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon and full staff the rest of the day.
Two other days celebrate those who have served or are serving in the United States Military: Veterans Day on November 11, which honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, and Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday in May, an unofficial U.S. holiday for honoring those currently serving in the armed forces.