About
Each year on Memorial Day, Roseville American Legion Post 169 in conjunction with the Roseville Veterans of Foreign Wars honors those who have died in the service of the United State in all wars.
Memorial day ceremonies are held in the Veterans section of the Roseville Cemetery on Berry Street. Government dignitaries will be invited, and music has been provided by the Roseville Community Concert Band.
The ceremony will also honor all veterans and particularly those who are buried in the Roseville Cemetery. Roseville Cemetery is the resting place of many area veterans who fought in every major conflict from the Civil War through WWI, WWII Korea, and Viet Nam. We also honor those men and women who gave their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Roseville American Legion was established in 1926 and since then, there has been a Memorial Day ceremony at the Roseville Cemetery.
The Roseville American Legion sponsors Boy Scout Troop 11 and Cub Scout Pack 37, both which assist during the Memorial Day ceremony.
After the ceremony, a light lunch is served at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall 110 Park Dr (Royer Park). Please bring photographs or memorabilia of family members who served in war to share with friends at lunch or to display on the tables in the auditorium for the day.
History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day had it start 3 years after the Civil War ended and Decoration Day was established to decorated the graves with flowers of those killed. At the end of World War I, Decoration Day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars and the name was changed to Memorial Day.
In 1971, it was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. May God Bless those who served and those who died defending our country and our liberties.
Read more about the history of memorial day at the VA’s site.
The difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Memorial Day is different from Veterans Day as Veterans Day was created to honor all veterans who have served honorably in the military.
Veterans Day was established and changed from Armistice Day. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first
commemoration of Armistice Day to honor the Veterans of World War One and those who died in the country’s service.
However since World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history and after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, there was movement to change the name. The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred on Nov 11, 1947. Later in 1947, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation”.
In 1954, Congress at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the bill that had established the Armistice Day holiday by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With this change, November 11th became a day to honor and thank all all men and women who have served honorably in the military.
Over the years there have been changes to the day when Veteran’s Day is celebrated but now Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls.
