A few years after the end of the Civil War, May 30 was established as “Decoration Day” — a day to decorate veterans’ graves with flowers. May 30 may have been the selected day because flowers would be in bloom throughout the country.

In 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday and placed on the last Monday in May.

In December 2000, the president signed into law The National Moment of Remembrance Act.

“The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.”

Please join us today in saying a prayer for the veterans and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.