Alcoeur Gardens, assisted living specialists for those with memory impairment, honors many of their residents who are Veterans this Memorial Day.

This day honors the nation's armed services personnel that have been killed in wartime. The holiday, originally called Decoration Day, originated with the decoration of graves with flowers and flags.

Some say the custom of honoring war dead began in Boalsburg, PA on July 4, 1864. Others say the custom began when some Southern women placed flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at the cemetery in Columbus, MS on April 25, 1866. Some claim it took place on June 6, 1866 on Belle Isle, a burial ground for Union soldiers in the St James River at Richmond, VA. Then in 1966 the United States government declared that Waterloo, New York was the birthplace of Memorial Day on May 5, 1866.

The first Memorial Day was observed on May 30, 1868 on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating graves of those who perished in the Civil War. It was observed on May 30th until 1971 when most states changed to a newly-established federal schedule of holiday observances. Memorial Day is now always celebrated on the last Monday in May.

This Memorial Day we are honoring our residents Andy, Frank, Tim, Albert, Ken, Joe and your loved ones on this holiday 2017.