HONESDALE, PA – It was a warm and sunny afternoon when the local Laurella 4-H club gathered at Indian Orchard Cemetery to honor our fallen military for Memorial Day. 

We began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H pledge. Then we began replacing the worn flags from last year with new and majestic flags on each veteran’s grave. It wasn’t a difficult job, but it filled our hearts with joy to be doing something so meaningful. We replaced over 100 flags for our soldiers. 

When you pass by a cemetery and see America’s beautiful flags blowing in the breeze, do you wonder why we decorate the graves of fallen soldiers? Over 150 years ago, in 1868, Memorial Day was actually called Decoration Day. The reason for that was because people would decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. 

There are different ways we remember soldiers who died while serving. In 2000, President Bill Clinton asked Americans to stop on Memorial Day at 3pm for the National Moment of Remembrance Act for one minute to remember the soldiers who fought and died for them. Another way to remember soldiers is to fly the American flag at half-staff which reminds us of all the women and men who died serving. When it is returned to full staff it shows people that we will raise up and keep fighting for our liberty. 

If you are a veteran reading this, thank you for your service. Your sacrifice has impacted each of our freedoms. We salute you and thank you for all that you’ve done for us.