For most of us, Memorial Day 2010 Albany marks the beginning of a season of summer fun. But don’t let the real meaning of the holiday get lost amidst the barbecues and beach sand. Memorial Day – originally called “Decoration Day” – unofficially began in 1865 as a way to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. In fact, because of lingering resentment over the war, many Southern states did not observe the holiday until after World War I (they opted for their own Confederate Memorial Day). Memorial Day has since became an occasion to honor fallen soldiers from all wars after WWI. You can find a listing of all those from Albany who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Honor them with the traditions of this special holiday:
-Fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon, local time.
-Participate in a national “moment of remembrance,” which occurs at 3PM, Washington DC time.
-Place flags on the graves of war dead.
-Visit or volunteer at your local Albany VA hospital [find your closest one here]; you might also want to investigate VA Voluntary Service, which organizes volunteers to help care for wounded vets. www.volunteer.va.gov
-Support your local Albany area VFW – and remember, thank a veteran when you’re there!
[Find your local VFW here]
-Donate your old cellphones to help our military stay in touch with loved ones at home. www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Alternately, you can donate calling cards for service members at Operation Uplink. www.operationuplink.org
-Let those who are currently serving know they’re appreciated; Operation USO Care Package lets you sponsor a gift box containing needed and requested items for a service member overseas.
www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=565&
Find Albany area Memorial Day Events, Memorial Day Parades, Activities and more.
Click here to pay honor to a friend or loved one in town who has served our country
Albany Area Casualties of War ...
(Please send additions or corrections for the lists below for Albany to info@americantowns.com)
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Sacco, Dominic J.
Tirador, Amy C.
Vietnam War
Albert
Arnold
Arnold
Billy
Charles
Donald
Donald
Frederick
Frederick
George
George
James
James
John
John
Jon
Melvin
Mervyn
Michael
Mickey
Norman
Ralph
Randolph
Richard
Richard
Robert
Robert
Robert
Ronald
Ronald
Steven
Terence
Tom
Tony
Walter
William
Xavier
Korean War
Cooper, Spencer Raymond Jr
Cummings, Francis J
Lanahan, Edward James
Maid, Louis Charles
Olcott, Ray W
Regan, John Lynn
Riley, Philip Irving
Russo, Anthony Louis
Shook, John William Jr
World War II
Click here for a database of more local New York soldiers killed in World War II
Below you can pay honor to a friend or loved one in town who has served our country and share that on Facebook:
