Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed, and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

Across our nation on Memorial Day, we gather to honor and remember those who gave what Abraham Lincoln called the “last full measure of devotion” in the fight for our liberty; we honor America’s finest men and women who gave their lives in defense of a nation, in defense of its people.

Grundy County communities will honor and remember our nation’s finest with the following observances:

Minooka – Minooka American Legion Post 1188 will host a Memorial Day parade and observance on Monday, May 25, 2026. The parade starts at 10 AM at the Mission Bible Church 412 N Wabena Ave, Minooka. A memorial service will follow the parade at Veterans Park at the corner of Mondamin Street and Wabena Avenue.

Coal City, Diamond & Carbon Hill – St. Juvin VFW Post 1336 will host their Memorial Day observance on Monday May 25, 2026, at the Veterans Memorial located at the Coal City Intermediate School. The observance will start at 11:45 AM. The school is located at 305 E Division Street Coal City, IL.

Morris – John Martin Steele VFW Post 6049 will host a parade and observance. The parade starts at 10:45 AM from Chapin Park and goes to the Grundy County courthouse. Observance at the courthouse starts at 11:00 AM. There is no registration required for the parade, the community is welcome to participate, they ask that you be at the park by 10:15 am.

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Day observance will be at 11:30 AM on Monday May 25, 2026. The cemetery is located at 20953 West Hoff Road Elwood, IL. Only Off-site parking will be available; some handicap parking will be available. Please follow all signs and directions given by cemetery staff when you arrive. Buses will be available to transport guests to and from the ceremony.

Volunteers are welcome to help with the placement and removal of grave flags at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Flag placement will occur on Friday May 22, 2026, at 9:00 AM and removal will be on Tuesday May 26, 2026, at 8:30 AM. Volunteers for either event are asked to meet at the main flagpole.

If you are unable to attend an observance in your community The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather, it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died in service to the United States.

There are many local events in honor of Memorial Day, the Grundy County Veterans Assistance Commission encourages all to participate in an event near you.