Memorial Day feels like the unofficial kickoff to summer – a long weekend, backyard barbecues, and time spent with friends – but here on the Plateau, the members of Highlands American Legion Post 370 gently remind us to pause and remember what the day is truly about. Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
The holiday’s roots stretch back to 1868, just after the Civil War, when it was first observed as Decoration Day, a time to place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers from both sides of the conflict. By the 1880s, it had come to be known as Memorial Day, and in 1971, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday. While traditions have evolved, the purpose remains the same: remembrance.
Here in Highlands, that spirit of remembrance is alive and well. This year’s Memorial Day ceremony will take place on Monday, May 25, at 10:00 A.M. at Veterans Plaza, just in front of the Highlands Police Station. It’s a moving gathering where our community comes together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The plaza’s “Honor Walk,” with more than 400 engraved bricks honoring our veterans, serves as a lasting tribute, and new bricks will be dedicated during the ceremony.
In the days leading up to Memorial Day, there are several meaningful ways to take part. On Friday, May 22, members of our American Legion Post and volunteers will gather at Highlands Memorial Park at 5:30 P.M. to place flags on veterans’ graves. It’s a simple but powerful act, and community members are warmly invited to lend a hand.
Then on Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., you’ll find veterans out for Poppy Day at Bryson’s Food Store and along Main Street at the Methodist Church. The small red poppy has long been a symbol of remembrance. Wearing one is a quiet way to say, “thank you” and commemorate our fallen soldiers. Take a moment to stop, accept a poppy, and share a conversation or a story.
The Highlands American Legion Post 370 works hard to support the Legion’s national mission to “enhance the well-being of American veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”
If you are interested in supporting the American Legion or veterans’ causes in the Highlands area, please email ncpost370@gmail.com for more information. The Post meets on the third Saturday of each month at Highlands United Methodist Church at 9:45 A.M.
Favorites Count: 0