Honorable Memorial Day Preparations at Highland Cemetery!

Honorable Memorial Day Preparations at Highland Cemetery!

Memorial Day preparations are in full swing at Highland Cemetery in Great Falls. Various organizations, including Malmstrom Air Force Base and veterans organizations, are working together to honor this important day. On Thursday, members of the Air Force Sergeant's Association and volunteers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) placed hundreds of American flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. Each flag stands as a symbol of the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for freedom, reports KRTV.

In addition to the flag display, volunteers cleaned the cemetery grounds to ensure they are respectful and welcoming for the upcoming Memorial Day ceremony, which will be held on Monday, May 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The community is invited to participate in this honorary event and honor the military sacrifices.

Tradition and honor on Memorial Day

The Memorial Day program at Highland Cemetery has a long history. The 142nd annual Memorial Day program took place on May 31, with members of the Malmstrom Honor Guard presenting the flags during the national anthem. Veterans organizations laid wreaths in an emotional ceremony and remembered their fallen comrades. Keynote speaker, Col. Anthony Cotton, remembered the dead and led those in attendance through a roll call of veterans who died between May 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010, adding a report from Malmstrom Air Force Base.

A moving moment was a bagpiper's rendition of "Amazing Grace," played as a tribute to the fallen soldiers. Lori Nelson also planted flowers at the grave of her uncle John Keough, who served in World War II. Such gestures are part of the tradition that honors the heroes and their patriotism during military service.

The Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day has changed significantly since its creation in the 19th century. Originally, some states recognized this day before the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 established it as a national holiday on the last Monday in May. In addition, the “National Moment of Remembrance Act” was signed in 2000, which established a nationwide moment of silence at 3 p.m. to remember the fallen soldiers, such as Info-USA explained.

The significant events of Memorial Day and the traditions associated with them not only provide the community with an opportunity to honor, but also raise awareness of the sacrifices that many people have made in the service of their country. As preparations continue in Great Falls, Remembrance Day remains a living symbol of respect and gratitude for all who fought for their freedom.