On the Horizon
Remember why we celebrate Memorial Day

By Cassandra Moreno
Staff Reporter

Memorial Day is for the men and woman who served in the armed forces and died fighting for our country.

It is also eight months since the World Trade Center disaster and they will be a lot of people already in pain. It is hard to see someone everyday and then the next moment you are gone. We need to remember them in our hearts and give respect from whatever they are, we must take a moment of silence and pray for them.

“It is hard for me to say this, but most of us nowadays have really forgotten the meaning and the tradition of Memorial Day,” Ms. Romero states. Her father served in World War II and he is still living.

General John Logan, Commander of the Union Army, officially proclaimed Memorial Day on May 5, 1868. It was observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Since the late 1950’s, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3rd United States Infantry place small American flags on each of the 260,000 gravestones in Arlington National Cemetery. Then they patrol 24 hours a day to ensure that each flag remains standing.

In 1968, Congress declared the last Monday in May a federal holiday. Today most see Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer. Cookouts, parties and swimming.

We must take the time out everyday not only one day and pray not only for those who has gone and die but also for all. Remember the soldiers who have and the reason why and most important pray for the families of 9/11.

Besides, it is the beginning of the beaches and amusements parks opening day and BBQ’s. Most important there will be three weeks classes left.