Happy Memorial Day Fwiend! We hope you are having a relaxing long weekend! Memorial Day is celebrated each year in the U.S. to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Military. But, many Americans don’t know the full history behind Memorial Day! To help you celebrate, we put together A Quick Memorial Day History with little known facts, tidbits and movie suggestions to help you celebrate and appreciate Memorial Day!
Prior to Memorial Day, according to The History Channel, Decoration Day began after the Civill War in the late 1860’s when people began laying flowers at graves and sending prayers. Almost 100 years later, Decoration Day became Memorial Day (in 1971). At this time Memorial Day was officially changed to the last Monday of May. Most of us are unaware that 3 pm local time is a national time of remembrance! Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Memorial Day also (unofficially) marks the beginning of the summer season.
What does Arlington National Cemetery do each Year for Memorial Day?
At Arlington Cemetery, another little know tradition is “Flags In”. Just before Memorial Day weekend the “Old Guard” (the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment) places American flags at gravesites for service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. This is to honor America’s fallen heroes. The flags are removed after Memorial Day and the Cemetery is re-opened to the public.
Speaking of cemeteries, Mom’s always been interested in history and cemeteries! We have a Smith Cemetery in Western Kentucky that was purchased and set aside for all descendants of human Smiths! She’s visited many times and many military Smith ancestors are buried there!
Memorial Day is also a wonderful day to gather with friends, family or to just relax and pause and remember those who died serving our country. It’s also a perfect day to stop and watch military movies! The History Channel, Youtube, Netflix and Amazon are full of amazing military movies!
The Best Memorial Day Movies
It’s no secret that Scooby, Mom and us furSmiths are HUGE Steve McQueen fans and The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen is one of our Favowites! If you are Prime Member you can watch it for free! (or rent it for $3.99)
One of the most amazing War Movies Mom says she’s ever seen is Saints and Soldiers based on actual WWII events. Have you seen it? What did you think about it? Saints and Soldiers is available for Free If you are an Amazon Prime Member (with an IMBD subscription). (We think the IMBD subscription is free because we aren’t paying for one).
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A Super Cool Website called Vulture Lists The 50 Greatest War Movies Ever Made! They provide several links to Military Movies which are available to watch on Youtube for Free! We will definitely be adding some of these movies to our YouTube list!
From the furSmiths This Memorial Day Weekend
We at the furSmiths hope you have a relaxing, Memorial Day and spend a little time remembering those who served the U.S. Military. It’s also a great day to remember and celebrate friends and family who are no longer here but who are not forgotten. We furSmiths will be remembering our beloved Scooby and all the furSmiths who left before him.
This post is also dedicated to our Aunt and Great furAunt Betty Sue Simmons Williams who passed away this weekend after battling cancer. Our Aunt was a staple in Mom’s entire childhood and she and Mom could make each other cry laugh. Our thoughts are with our Uncle Dean, his fur daughter kitty, Girly, who loved her momma deeply and with cousins Tina and Greg who need your thoughts and prayers. Betty Sue LOVED animals. Pups and kitties have been a part of Mom’s life from the beginning at home and through family, like Betty Sue and Sissy.
We also thank those who have served and fallen in the U.S. Military. We are also remembering you this weekend.
the furSmiths
