When is Memorial Day, and how does Milwaukee celebrate?

Many associate Memorial Day with the start of summer, but the federal holiday is actually a time to commemorate and honor U.S. veterans who have been killed in action.

Here is a little history on the holiday and a some information about how Milwaukee celebrates it.

What is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a holiday that honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It is observed on the last Monday of May each year.

When is Memorial Day 2023?

This year it's on May 29.

How did Memorial Day start?

Memorial Day actually started as Decoration Day. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, it was created roughly three years after the end of the Civil War. More soldiers died in the Civil War than any other U.S. war in history.

As a way to honor and commemorate those killed in the war, the head of an organization of Union Veterans, called the Grand Army of the Republic, established Decoration Day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. The tradition started after multiple communities around the country began to decorate the graves of soldiers as early as 1866, a year after the Civil War ended.

In 1971, Congress established Memorial Day as a federal holiday and fixed its observance on the last Monday in May.

Do flags fly at half-mast on Memorial Day?

On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon and then raised to the top of the staff until sunset, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs.

When did Wisconsin start celebrating Memorial Day?

Wisconsin celebrated Memorial Day as early as 1875, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

How does Milwaukee celebrate Memorial Day?

There are various services, parades and memorials happening in the Milwaukee metro area on Memorial Day and throughout the holiday weekend. These include:

• Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery: A memorial service at the Ferry & Clas chapel, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in the Garden of Honor, the veteran section. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free but preregistration is recommended.
• Field of Flags: Volunteers at the War Memorial Center, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, will place 15,015 flags to represent Wisconsinites killed in action. The flags will be placed between May 22 and May 26. An official ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on May 29.
• Memorial Day ceremony at Wood National Cemetery: A Memorial Day ceremony taking place at Wood National Cemetery at 9 a.m. on May 29. Limited seating is available at the outdoor event.

More:Check out these 2023 Memorial Day events in the greater Milwaukee area

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.