Memorial Day Heroes: Share Yours, Howell Patch Readers

While it’s easy to get caught up in all the hype of the start of the summer season, we at the Patch would like to take a moment to remember why Memorial Day exists: to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.

The tradition began three years after the Civil War ended, when Decoration Day was established as a day to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers, according to the Veterans Administration’s website.

The observance quickly grew to include the placing of small American flags on the graves as well.

It was expanded to include those who have died in all American wars after World War I, and declared a national holiday and named Memorial Day by an act of Congress in 1971. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, the VA site said.

In December 2000, Congress added another element: The National Moment of Remembrance, to ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten. In addition to encouraging Memorial Day ceremonies around the country, it encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

We know not everyone can get to the cemetery to decorate the graves of their fallen family members. We at the Patch would like to allow our readers to pay tribute to those in their lives who have served our country and given their lives for it.

Send an email to me at karen.wall@patch.com.

Include the following:

• Your name and town
• The name of the service member you’d like to honor
• Branch of the service
• When they served
• A photo if you have one

The photos here are of my grandfather, Ray Wall, and the honorable discharge paper for my great-grandfather, Martin Wall.

Grandpa Ray was a career Marine, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served in various parts of the world during his career.

My great-grandfather Martin Wall was a sergeant in the U.S. Army and served in World War I, including at the Second Battle of the Marne, the St. Michel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He was injured in a mustard gas attack and died of its effects in 1920, a little over a year after his honorable discharge.

Send us your Memorial Day tributes and we will publish them on Monday.