What began as a remembrance by mourners to honor their Civil War dead has gradually expanded and coalesced over time. What was previously known as Decoration Day has become one of today’s federal holidays: Memorial Day. Or…the kick-off of summer. Or…the first of 3 summer three-day weekends. Or…a neighborhood BBQ, a big sale at the mall or a doubleheader. While there are some parades and flag raising ceremonies, do people still care about participating in remembering our war dead? Arlington National Cemetery, through the soldiers of the Old Guard, recognizes Memorial Day via a tradition known as “flags-in”: the placement of a small American flag on each grave to honor the contributions of the dead. Woodlawn Cemetery recognizes the day similarly. Over the last ten years, Woodlawn Cemetery has indeed learned “if you build it, they will come”.
About the presenterLynn Radke
Lynn is a volunteer at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. Flagging veteran graves is one of the projects she supports,