Honor the Fallen
Today isn’t about days off, cookouts and pool parties. Today is a day to honor the fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
While we believe our fallen soldiers would want you to do all of those things- enjoy the freedoms of America- we also owe it to them to remember the reason we get to do it. Many brave men and women lost their lives to protect the freedoms we often taken for granted.
Today, and every day, PGT honors those that lost their lives while serving our country. We remember their service to our country, their bravery to lay it all on the line, their courage to fight every day, their love for this great country, and for their sacrifice. Today, we honor their families who prayed and worried about the safety of their loved one every day while they were gone and now mourn their loss.
The History
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the American soldiers who died at war with flowers. May 30 was the day selected at the time. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day because a ceremony was held that honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 across the nation. It was not until after World War I, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May.
To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, The National Moment of Remembrance Act was passed into law.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
Our Appreciation
There is nothing we can do or say to express our love and appreciation for all of those that lost their lives fighting for our every day freedoms. We know we often take those freedoms for granted, but at PGT, we promise to do our best to appreciate them every day.
We will continue to honor your life and service through our actions, prayers, and who we strive to be.
Thank-you to the families that lost a loved one while they were serving our country. We are proud of your solider and our thoughts and prayers are with you always. It cannot be easy, but your dedication and sacrifice does not go unnoticed by everyone here at PGT.
We are, in fact, the land of the free, only because of the brave. Freedom is not free. Thank-you to all the amazing heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
