Teaching the meaning of Memorial Day to your children can be tricky. It's easy to get lost in the rush of picnics, parades and fun during what many see as the unofficial start to summer. However, communities all around the United States will hold celebrations to pay respect and remembrance to those who have died serving our country. These events can be a wonderful way to teach your children about the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Unfortunately, we are hearing talks about some events being cancelled due to weather. Please make sure your event is still taking place prior to heading out.
South Hills of Pittsburgh Memorial Day events
🇺🇸 Carnegie Memorial Day Parade May 26, 2024
🇺🇸 Bethel Park Memorial Day Program & Parade May 27, 2024 CANCELLED
🇺🇸 Mt. Lebanon’s Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade May 27, 2024
🇺🇸 Dormont Memorial Day Parade 2024 May 27, 2024
🇺🇸 Library Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony, and Luncheon May 27, 2024
🇺🇸 Castle Shannon Memorial Day Parade May 27, 2024
🇺🇸 Bridgeville Memorial Day Parade May 29, 2024
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Did you know...
- The Grand Army of the Republic began decorating the graves of fallen service members with flowers in May 1868, which was then known as "Decoration Day."
- In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, to be observed on the last Monday in May, moving it from the static date of May 30, in order to create a 3-day weekend.
- On the Thursday before Memorial Day, small American flags are placed at each of the 400,000+ gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries nationwide.
- To encourage more people to observe Memorial Day, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000, which asks people to stop what they are doing at 3 p.m. local time and observe a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives defending the country.
- On Memorial Day, the flag should first be raised to the top of the staff, then slowly lowered to half-staff, until noon when it should be raised to the top of the staff for the rest of the day.
- Red poppies are considered the Memorial Day flower. It's referenced in the poem "In Flanders Fields." and refers to the fields of poppies growing among soldiers' graves during WWI.
"We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them." ~Francis A. Walker
