by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: May 08, 2010   Last Updated: May 13, 2010

Memorial Day is a holiday that is typically observed on the last Monday of May in the United States. It is a special holiday because it has multiple meanings, the most significant of which is to honor those who lost their lives in their lives in service to the country. Its origins date back to May 5, 1868, when General John Logan proclaimed that May 30, 1868 would be the first Memorial Day holiday. It was originally called Decoration Day and was intended to be a day on which to remember those who lost their live in service to the United States.

To many people who haven't had the experience of having a loved one serving the country, the solemn connection may not have much meaning, so for them, it is also a holiday that is the symbolic start of summer.  In many places, it is the first day on which beaches are open. There are many ways by which people can observe Memorial Day, and many people celebrate the long weekend by traveling - whether it be for a short family vacation, or to visit family members who live elsewhere.

Here is a look at some of the ways by which to observe Memorial Day -

*Wear a Red Poppy -

In tribute to the famous poem "In Flanders Field," Memorial Day is the perfect occasion on which to wear red poppies. Mrs. Moina Michael  replied to the poem with a poem of her own in 1915. It is as follows:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

*Display your United States Flag -

One way that many people choose to observe Memorial Day is by displaying the flag. It is customary to fly the flag at half staff until noon, at which time the flag is raised. Displaying the flag is a way of showing respect not just for those who have risked their lives for the country, but for the country as a whole.

*Visit important monuments -

Many people opt to go visit important monuments such as war memorials. If you live in a town where there are many veterans, there may be replicas of national monuments, or special monuments at cemeteries. If you have family members who are or were veterans and who are buried in a cemetery, you might want to go visit their grave and place flowers and a small American flag there. If you can get to Washington D.C., you might want to visit the Viet Nam Memorial or Arlington National Cemetery.

*Observe the National Moment of Remembrance -

Take the time at 3:00 to have everyone you are with stop whatever they are doing, and think about what the

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