Memorial Day 2025
Honoring the Fallen, Standing with the Living
Each year, Memorial Day offers us a moment of reflection. A solemn reminder of the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to our nation. For veterans and their families, the meaning of this day runs deeper than ceremonies and speeches. It is personal. It is sacred.
Members from Coast Guard Sector New York paid tribute at the Sailors and Soldiers Monument in Manhattan for Memorial Day on May 27, 2024. The temple-like monument they pay tribute to commemorates Union Army soldiers and sailors from New York who served in the Civil War. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Breanna Boardman)
As we gather this Monday, May 26, 2025, across Houston and beyond, we pause not only to remember those we’ve lost but also to stand beside those still here, those who served, those who waited, and those who continue to carry the weight of remembrance.
Origins After the Civil War
The tradition began in the aftermath of the Civil War, which claimed more American lives than any other conflict in U.S. history. The massive loss led to the establishment of the first national cemeteries. In the late 1860s, communities across the country began holding springtime tributes to fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. This practice became known as Decoration Day.
One of the earliest and most widely recognized observances was on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. The date was chosen because it wasn’t associated with any specific battle, allowing Americans to honor all who died in service.
Guests hold each other during a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, May 27, 2024. The ceremony provided service members, veterans, families, and supporters the opportunity to gather, support, and connect while honoring military members who lost their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kathryn R.C. Reaves)
Over time, the name “Memorial Day” gained widespread recognition. After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in all wars, not just the Civil War. It wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day was officially declared a federal holiday by Congress. As part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, it was set to be observed on the last Monday of May to create a long weekend for federal employees.
A Day of Remembrance, Not Just a Long Weekend
While many see Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, veterans and military families know it as a time to honor the ultimate sacrifice. It’s about names etched into stone, stories passed down through generations, and the quiet moments when memories flood in.
Whether you lost a brother or sister-in-arms, a spouse, a parent, or a child, your grief and your love matter. Today, we recognize your loss and your strength.
Sgt. Maj of the Army Michael R. Weimar places flags by headstones in Arlington National Cemetery, VA., May 23, 2024. The United States flag is one of the most significant symbols of Memorial Day, representing freedom, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Ways Veterans and Families Can Honor Memorial Day in Houston
If you’re looking for meaningful ways to spend this day, Houston offers several opportunities to pay tribute and reconnect:
Houston National Cemetery Ceremony
Attend the official Memorial Day service honoring the fallen with military honors and guest speakers.Flags for Fallen Vets
Volunteer to place flags on headstones; a humbling and unifying way to remember those we've lost.Visit the Veterans Memorial Park in Cypress
Reflect quietly or bring your family to learn more about Texas’s proud military legacy.Host a Personal Moment of Remembrance
Whether it’s lighting a candle, sharing stories over dinner, or taking a moment of silence, every tribute matters.
Airmen of the 121st Air Refuling wing provide support to the village of Lockbourne during a Memorial Day parade and ceremony at Lockbourne, Ohio, May 27th, 2024. The 121 ARW honor guard marched in the parade and executed a flag folding.
Carrying Their Legacy Forward
For many veterans, Memorial Day stirs up a mix of emotions—grief, pride, survivor's guilt, even confusion. That’s okay. It’s normal. The truth is, service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Every time you support a fellow vet, mentor a younger service member, or share your story, you continue the mission.
Families, too, carry on the legacy. By remembering, by teaching the next generation, and by showing up in their communities, they keep the memory of their loved ones alive.
Support is Always Here
If Memorial Day feels heavier than usual this year, know that you're not alone. Whether you're a veteran or a family member, there are resources available for you:
Harris County Veteran Services Department: Your Houston local one START shop to the VA benefit world
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1
The Headstrong Project: Providing confidential, barrier-free, and stigma-free PTSD treatment to veterans, service members, and family connected to their care.
Easter Seals (Houston): Free mental health services for veterans and families
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community.
It’s okay to reach out. It's okay to talk about it. It honors the fallen when we take care of the living.
Two Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, North Dakota National Guard, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters fly over the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery for the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony, Mandan, North Dakota, May 27, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)
Final Thoughts
This Memorial Day, we bow our heads in remembrance and lift each other in unity. We remember the fallen—not as distant heroes—but as friends, family, teammates, and loved ones.
To the veterans still standing, and the families who continue to bear the torch: thank you. May you find peace in your memories, strength in your community, and purpose in the legacy you carry forward.
We will never forget.