St. Paul, Minn. – Memorial Day means the kickoff to summer for many Minnesotans. However, to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), it’s the time to focus on the true meaning of the holiday: honoring and remembering service members in Minnesota who made the ultimate sacrifice and showing support for the families left behind.

To commemorate Memorial Day, the each of the four State Veterans Cemeteries will host special ceremonies.

Each program will include military honor guards, music and a guest speaker.

“Minnesotans continually show their gratitude and appreciation for those who chose to serve their country, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” says Brad Lindsay, MDVA Commissioner. “I’m proud that Minnesota is committed to providing spaces across the state where Veterans can go to their final resting place, and where so many in the community have the opportunity to gather and honor those who have gone before us.”

Due to the high number of attendees expected, the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and carpool if possible. Also, as a reminder to families: the Cemetery floral policy allows for artificial flowers to be placed on gravesites from May 17 to June 6. Any artificial flowers on gravesites before or after these dates will be removed. Fresh cut flowers may be placed at any time of the year. A full list of cemetery floral regulations is posted on signs throughout each Cemetery.

To learn more about individual Memorial Day events at the State Veterans Cemeteries, visit /mdva/news/events/index.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Events.

Fast Facts:

• Memorial Day originated in a practice called “Decoration Day” from the American Civil War.
• Near the end of the War, communities in the North and South, Black and white, decorated soldiers' graves with floral honors on springtime "decoration days."
• In May of 1868, Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John Logan issued General Orders No. 11 or the "Memorial Day Act"—formally establishing Memorial Day as a decoration day—when the nation would remember its war dead and mark their graves with flowers.

This information and much more is from the National Cemetery Administration.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.