Summer is fast approaching but doesn’t unofficially begin until the last Monday in May — Memorial Day. Family and friends will gather and celebrate and enjoy a break from the hectic pace of work, school, or life in general.

Did you know that prior to Congress designating the last Monday in May as a federal holiday, on or about that same day on the calendar for nearly a hundred years, it had been observed as a day of commemoration? A day to decorate the graves and remember the fallen, those members who had given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Currently, our country of nearly 330 million citizens has a military of about 2.3 million; that’s 0.6% of the population that is active duty or reserve military. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs website, there have been more than 42 million service members who have served during wartime in the nation’s history. Nearly one million of those service members have died on the battlefield or in a combat theater since 1775. After the Civil War, the deadliest of all America’s conflicts where nearly a half-million military members died, towns throughout the country began holding commemorative tributes to remember the fallen. They would decorate the graves and pray for the soldiers who lost their lives in battle.

After a few years of individual towns and cities commemorating their lost warriors, on May 5, 1868, Gen. John Logan, leader of an organization for northern Civil War veterans, called for a day of nationwide remembrance later that month. He proclaimed, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

He chose this date as it was not affiliated with any particular Civil War battle. During that first Decoration Day, General James Garfield (future President) made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

Before the end of the 19th century, many northern states had adopted Decoration Day as an official state holiday. Many southern states remembered their war dead with similar events, but on separate days until World War I. This tradition carried on for another seven decades, through two World Wars, Korea and we were in the midst of the Vietnam War before Congress acted to establish Memorial Day as the last Monday of May, and officially declare it a federal holiday. The first federal holiday of Memorial Day was celebrated in 1971.

As you gather with family and friends, remember Memorial Day is more than just a three-day weekend, more than the unofficial start to summer; it is a solemn day of remembrance. Here are just a few reminders to help commemorate the day with the reverence it deserves.

- When you fly your American flag, fly it with the honor it deserves. It should be flown at half-staff until noon, and then raised to full-staff.

- Also, remember to join the rest of the country and pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.

Support, attend or participate in some of the area Memorial Day events listed below. Be safe, enjoy the day, and remember those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy today, because freedom has never been free.

LOCAL MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

Saturday

American Legion Post 143 will start cleaning and posting flags at each of the 600 veterans’ graves starting at 9 a.m. today. Volunteers are welcome. Those interested in helping should bring gloves, a long screwdriver, pliers and a hammer.

Monday

City of Coeur d’Alene:

0900 - Memorial Day Ceremony @ Veterans Memorial (McEuen Park) (VFW Post 889)

1100 - Memorial Day Ceremony @ Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens (Pappy Boyington #966 Marine Corps League)

1100 - Forest Cemetery (VFW Post 889)

City of Hayden:

0930 - Wreath Laying Ceremony @ Honeysuckle Beach (City of Hayden Veterans Commission)

1100 - Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony @ McIntire Family Park (City of Hayden Veterans Commission)

City of Post Falls:

1000 - Memorial Day Ceremony @ Evergreen Cemetery (American Legion Post 143)

City of Rathdrum:

1200 - Memorial Day Remembrance @ Pinegrove Cemetery (City of Rathdrum, American Legion Post 154 & Northwest Guardian Riders)

City of Spirit Lake:

1100 - Memorial Day Ceremony @ Blanchard Cemetery (VFW Post 1473)

1200 - Memorial Day Ceremony @ Spirit Lake Cemetery (VFW Post 1473)

FUNDRAISERS - VFW Posts conduct Bi-Annual Buddy Poppy Drives where all funds collected go to Post relief funds for further distribution to Veterans charities.

VFW POST 889 of Coeur d’Alene

May 24 - 27; 9 am to 5 pm @ Fred Meyer, 560 W Kathleen Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815

VFW POST 3603 of Post Falls

May 24, 25 & 26; 10 am to 6 pm @ Ace Hardware, 1604 E Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 83854

May 24 & 26; 10 am to 6 pm @ Cabela’s, 101 N Cabela Way, Post Falls, ID 83854

May 26; 10 am : 6 pm @ Yokes Fresh Market, 1501 E Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 83854