Memorial Day

Monday is Memorial Day.  Years ago, it was always observed on May 30th, but in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which declared that Memorial Day would take place on the last Monday in May.

At least 25 US cities and towns claim to have observed the first Memorial Day.  Women in the South (the Confederacy) actually decorated the graves of their fallen soldiers while the Civil War was still in progress.  On May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina, hundreds of recently freed African-Americans held a parade, estimated b some to have included 10,000 people, to honor 257 dead Union soldiers, whose remains they had reburied from a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. The first national celebration of the holiday took place May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried.

Some confuse Memorial Day, which happens this Monday (May 30th) with Veterans Day, which is always on November 11th. While Veterans Day is meant to honor all who have served in our nation's military, Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in military service, especially those who died in battle or as a result of wounds they suffered there.

For many, Memorial Day serves as the beginning of the summer season, but it is more than just a holiday; it should be a solemn remembrance of the sacrifice of our fallen heroes.

The Lincolnton VFW has moved its annual observance up to Saturday this year. Volunteers will place luminaries on the lawn of the VFW post on Country Club Road Saturday morning. They'll be lit at dusk Saturday evening following a brief service in front of the VFW building at 5 PM. Lincolnton Mayor Pro-Tem will speak.

The day will also be observed with a short program and wreath-laying ceremony at the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial on the east side of the current Lincoln County Courthouse in downtown Lincolnton at noon Monday.

In Stanley, an 11:30 AM program at the Stanley Cemetery on S. Main Street near Christ's Lutheran Church will include comments from decorated Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Stimpson.

The North Lincoln High School Band of Knights will be performing Monday (1 PM) in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.

Salem United Methodist Church at 378 N. Pilot Knob Road will have a Memorial Day Breakfast Monday 8-11 AM. $10 for adults, $5 for all veterans and for children.

Other events happening this weekend include the Dallas Fire Dept. celebrating its 100th birthday Saturday 1-5 PM; the Lincolnton Student Advisory Council's Movie Under the Stars at Lincolnton High School Stadium. "The Little Rascals" will be shown at 9 PM--the event starts at 7:30; a patriotic concert featuring Todd Tilghman, season 18 winner of NBC's "The Voice," at Living Word Church, 923 Island Ford Rd., Maiden, beginning at 6 PM...the Littles and the Hoppers gospel groups will also sing. Tickets are $20. A gospel concert with Danny Bunderburk and the Pathfinders also happens Saturday (6 PM) at Vineyard Church on Highway 16-business at Lowesville. Daniels Lutheran Church on Reepsville Road will have a Country Breakfast Saturday 7-10 AM. A $7 donation is suggested.

Sunny weather (clear at night) is forecast for the weekend and Monday. Have a safe weekend and don't drink or use drugs and drive.