Through freezing cold or scorching heat, with no air conditioning or heaters, over two million Americans fought for this country in the Civil War. Today, we’ve come to rely on such luxuries, but we cannot forget the sacrifices that so many Americans made to make this quality of life possible.
This Memorial Day, we are proud to take a moment to reflect upon, honor and celebrate the brave Americans that served our country and fought to give us the freedom and opportunities that we now enjoy.
The Tradition Started With Decoration Day
The tradition of Memorial Day began after the Civil War with the practice of decorating the graves of soldiers that died in the war. Originally known as Decoration Day, this tradition began in Southern communities around 1865.
General John Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic formerly established the first Decoration Day on May 30, 1868. Decoration Day grew into a day for communities to honor those that died in the Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags.
The day often involved services and festivals to honor those that had fallen. After World War I, the observation expanded to honor Americans killed in any conflict. The name was gradually changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day, and in 1971, the last Monday in May become the official federal celebration of Memorial Day.
Honoring All United States Armed Forces
A tradition born out of the great losses of the Civil War, Memorial Day grew to become a remembrance for all Americans that were killed in the line of duty. At 3 p.m. every Memorial Day, there is a moment of remembrance to honor all of those that served our country through the ultimate sacrifice.
The day has come to include visits to cemeteries, community gatherings, and parades. While it’s also become the unofficial start to the summer season, we are proud to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day as an opportunity to honor those who serve in our Armed Forces.
For those Pensacola residents that truly want to give back, consider getting involved this May. Whether it’s volunteering time to your local VFW or helping your veteran neighbors, a little care goes a long way, especially on Memorial Day.
Thank You to Our Clients
On this important day of remembrance and celebration, we are filled with gratitude for the freedoms that we have. We are honored to do the work that we do and are thankful for our clients that make it possible.
Today, we say an additional thank you to our clients for keeping us working and for letting us be a part of this great community and country. At Boutwell’s Air Masters, we’ve been dedicated to our community and our customers for over 40 years.
We take the time to honor our customers veteran and civilian alike, ensuring that we pay it forward. This Memorial Day, join us in taking a moment to remember those that fought to make our country great and to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.
