Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers often place American flags on each gravesite at National Cemeteries.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day; the poppy’s significance to Memorial Day is the result of the John McCrae poem “In Flanders Field.”

In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also used as a time for picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the longest-standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the west lawn of the United States Capitol. The concert is broadcast on PBS and NPR. Music is performed, and respect is paid to the men and women who gave their lives for their country.

Some Americans view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season.

Memorial Day formerly was observed on May 30. The Veterans of Foreign Affairs (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW)advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address:

Since 1987, Hawaii’s Senator Daniel Inoye, a World War II veteran, has repeatedly introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its traditional date.

In addition to national observances, many individual communities hold memorial observance for fallen soldiers who were from that town by having a ceremony in a church or town memorial park. It is common for fire and police departments to remember and honor members lost in the line of duty. Towns often hold a Memorial Day parade in honor of such residents. Participation in such a parade is by community organizations such as members of the local emergeny services and their vehicles, Rotary Clubs, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and bands from the local high school or church groups.

So, however you decide to celebrate this Memorial Day, just remember what the significance of this day really is. There are men and women serving our country and fighting for the freedoms that you and I take for granted every day. Let’s do something special for them today, even if it’s just saying a prayer or lifting a glass to toast to their bravery and courage. Have a wonderful holiday and please BE SAFE!!

My friend Nichole (http://www.nicholealexandra.com/blog/) found this fabulous little church in Florence. So when we got the opportunity to do Beth’s bridal portraits, that’s the first place we thought of for the location. We had such a great time…even though it poured down rain, not once but twice!! Beth was such a great sport. We all got soaked, including Beth’s mother. But we had a blast anyway.

We had a really fun Love Story Session yesterday with Cindi and Bill at Timrod Park in Florence. We love this park because there are so many different areas to shoot in. The rain held off for us and we got some great shots. They got to be movie stars for the evening with 3 photographers shooting away. We are really looking forward to shooting the wedding on June 20th. They are going to look fabulous!!

I had an awesome session with the S family this past weekend. They are great people and I had a blast with them. Check out their adorable kids!!

Since Mother’s Day is this week, I thought I’d share a little about the mother’s in my life:

1) My mom: of course, I think she is the best mother in the world. She raised me as a single parent and made sure that I never doubted for a second that I was loved and wanted.

2) My Grandmother: although she passed away when I was only 13 years old, she was a very special person in my life. I was the only granddaughter so I was showered with love and attention every chance she got.

3) My sister: I didn’t actually meet my sister until I was 17 years old and she was 21. But you would never know it. I love her dearly and wish we lived closer to each other. We only get to visit once a year and that is NOT enough. She is a wonderful mother to her 3 children and a fantastic wife. They are extremely lucky to have her.

 Today is a wonderful day. Today is the birthday of the greatest mother in the world…my mother.

A Sonnet for My Incomparable Mother 

I often contemplate my childhood, Mom.
I am a mother now, and so I know
Hard work is mixed together with the fun;
You learned that when you raised me long ago. 

I think of all the things you gave to me:
Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,
Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul–
All these you spent on me throughout the years. 

You loved me with a never-failing love
You gave me strength and sweet security,
And then you did the hardest thing of all:
You let me separate and set me free. 

Every day, I try my best to be
A mother like the mom you were to me. 

By Joanna Fuchs