Hi Shoppers,

Did you know Memorial Day goes back to the Civil War?

It was called Decoration Day. People laid flowers, wreaths, and flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.

One of the first recorded events happened in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1865. Freed African Americans and Union soldiers decorated the graves of Union prisoners of war outside the Confederate prison.

The first official Decoration Day at Arlington National Cemetery was May 30, 1868. The ceremony included speeches and prayers.

A must-do trip, especially with kids, is Washington, DC, and Arlington National Cemetery. It is truly a special place.

After World War I, the holiday expanded to include all military personnel killed while serving. Congress formalized it in 1968 and set it as the last Monday in May starting in 1971.

Today, Memorial Day honors over 1.2 million fallen soldiers.

Let's give thanks and enjoy our day off.

Licia Leslie