Have you thanked a Vet today?

Memorial Day Weekend is considered by many as "the official kick-off of summer," often celebrated by family gatherings, cookouts, and vacations. No matter what things you are celebrating this weekend, we beg of you to remember the true spirit of the holiday and remember those service men and women who have lost their lives to preserve our freedom.

Remember. Honor. Teach.

Celebrated on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is a time to honor service men and women who have paid the ultimate price to give the rest of us the freedom to have our cookouts and spend time with those we love.

May is also National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM). Designated by Congress, NMAM gives the nation a time and place to appreciate and recognize our armed services and to remember and learn about our American military history. Thank you to all the service men and women who are currently serving.

Remember and Honor the Fallen

Once again this year, Roger, Thelma Lou and I have joined the Wreaths Across America project as a way of honoring our nation's veterans and their families by placing wreaths on fallen veterans' graves. Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to Remember the Fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach future generations about the cost of freedom.

Each December, Wreaths Across America holds remembrance wreath laying ceremonies at participating cemeteries to honor both living and fallen veterans. This is an awesome way to let more people know why you care about our veterans and all they have sacrificed for our freedoms. Together we can show our veterans and their families that we will never forget!

Thank a Veteran today and join us by sponsoring a wreath! If you'd like to acknowledge our support of this program, please choose Dog Scouts Troop 161 (PA0026P) when sponsoring a wreath.

Sponsor a Wreath

Fun Flag Day Facts

Katandy's Triple Threat salutes Flag Day

Celebrated on June 14 each year, Flag Day is a U.S. holiday celebrating the adoption of the American flag. Like Memorial Day, Flag Day is considered a patriotic holiday celebrated with parades and memorial services for those who have died in defense of the United States.

Fun Flag Day Facts

• The adoption of Flag Day was undertaken by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. However, it wasn't until 1949 that Congress enacted legislation supporting his decision.
• Flag Day is celebrated by veteran's organizations around the country. While Flag Day is meant to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag, it isn't actually a national holiday.
• Pennsylvania is the only state in the Union to officially observe Flag Day. Much of the celebration of Flag Day in Pennsylvania is centered around the former home of Betsy Ross, the flag's creator.

Remembering those lost

While many associate Memorial Day with picnics, barbecues, family gatherings and sporting events, let us not forget the true intent of the holiday. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

Quite frankly, since I find wishing someone a Happy Memorial Day a bit of an oxymoron, I would just like to take a moment to thank all the courageous men and women who have put their lives on the line for our freedom. Unlike Roger, I am not embarrassed to show my true colors.

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