Dear UMPI Community,
As we prepare to observe Memorial Day in the US, I invite you to take time to reflect on the meaning of this national day of remembrance. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day emerged during and after the Civil War, as communities—North and South—gathered to honor the fallen by adorning their graves with flowers.
In 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans’ organization, formalized this observance with General Orders No. 11, designating May 30 as a national day of tribute. The first national ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery, a former Confederate estate repurposed as a symbol of reconciliation and national mourning.
Today, Memorial Day honors all U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service to our country. As General John Logan wrote in 1868: “Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify… that we have forgotten… the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
To commemorate this solemn day, the 157th National Memorial Day Observance will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The event includes a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, musical tributes, and remarks from national leaders. You can watch the live stream at: www.dvidshub.net/webcast/36171
On Memorial Day, at 3:00 p.m. local time, the National Moment of Remembrance is observed. This unified act invites individuals to pause for one minute of silence to reflect on the sacrifices made by service members and others who died in service to the United States.
Wherever you are on this day, I hope you will join in remembering and honoring the lives lost in the name of our shared freedoms.
With gratitude,
