For some 150 years since the end of the Civil War, decorating the graves of military service members has been the primary activity on Memorial Day. Most cemeteries place an American flag on each service member's grave regardless of how long ago he or she died.
Memorials in the form of a cross are called intending crosses.
At Arlington National Cemetery, the President places a wreath on the monument known as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honoring those soldiers who, in the chaos of war, could not be identified and are 'known but to God.' The tomb stands on a hill at Arlington, overlooking Washington, D.C.
As visiting cemeteries on this day became more common, the graves of deceased family members were also decorated. Many individuals remember visiting the graves of grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles on this one day a year.
And as cremations and natural burials become more popular, online memorials and tributes printed in newspapers are also becoming more common. At natural burial cemeteries, laying of gravestones or memorial plaques is often not permitted.
During the 150 years since the custom began, almost every family has lost someone, if not a family member, a friend who was lost is remembered.
For all, a prayer for those who are gone is a fitting memorial.
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