California Blog #37: Memorial Day Edition

Okay so here's the scoop. Every year in the month of May is Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May at national cemeteries, by placing flowers and American flags on graves of military personnel. It was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

Now here's what we're thinking. Maybe if I come over to aunt Leta's place on such notice, we can celebrate Memorial Day on having a special backyard barbecue in Scotts Valley. We can invite some friends and family over (including my cousins, Kieran, Theo James, Miles, etc.) and enjoy some burgers, hot dogs, soda, chips, and fruit. But who could forget enjoying some baby back ribs now glazed in honey barbecue sauce. Would that be fun? The perfect touch.


Now here's the info of the celebration.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place an American flag on graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States. The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868. Then known as Decoration Day, the day was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic for the purpose of honoring Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. This national observance was preceded by many local ones, between the end of the Civil War and Logan's declaration. Many cities and people have claimed to have first celebrated the event.

Official recognition as holiday spread among the states, beginning with New York in 1873.

By 1890, every Union state had adopted it. The World Wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who died in service. In 1971, Congress standardized the holiday as "Memorial Day" and changed its observance to the last Monday in May.

Two other days celebrate those who have served or are serving in the U.S. military: Armed Forces Day (which is earlier in May), an unofficial U.S. holiday for honoring those currently serving in the armed forces, and Veterans Day (on November 11), which honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This is what Memorial Day is observed in Arlington, Virginia.



See what I mean? Now that's how you celebrate Memorial Day. Why? It's because Memorial Day is celebrated every year before the end of May.

Now how about those things to do for Memorial Day. Here's how.


Here are a few things we can do as Memorial Day events.

We can:

Take a road trip to places such as

Universal Hollywood
San Francisco
Visit San Diego
Visit Joshua National Park
or
Take a trip to Disneyland

And here's some choices for spending Memorial Day weekend:

We can visit:

Lassen Volcanic National Park
San Francisco
Mount Shasta
Lava Beds National Monument
Chico
Bodega Bay
Monterey


My ideas for spending Memorial Day weekend are:

Taking a trip to Monterey Bay, the aquarium, lunch outing, and shopping
Visit San Francisco for entertainment, shopping and eating out
A trip to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Going out to Capitola
Go down to the beach and relax

So what are your ideas for the next Memorial Day weekend? Let me know on Facebook, or comment on my blog. If I can't see your comment on my blog, use Facebook.

Other idea for Memorial Day weekend are:

Going to the arcade
See some local entertainment downtown
etc.


Okay, that's all for now. I'll be back soon for a couple more ideas for the next blogs.


Let me know what ideas you can come up with for the next Memorial Day weekend. Good luck and "thank you for your service".
Location: Scotts Valley, CA, USA

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