Post 102 of The American Legion, Takes Responsibility of Memorial Day Service from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).
Early in 1992, representatives of the local VFW Post told members of the Anoka American Legion Post 102, that they did not have enough help to sponsor the Memorial Day Service in Anoka. Post 102 decided the service was important in reminding the community, of the men and women that served their country in time of war. Post 102 helped to organize and sponsor the 1992 Memorial Day Service. The Post became responsible for sponsoring the Annual Memorial Day Service in Anoka, Minnesota, where the Service is held at Anoka Veterans Memorial, Forest Hills Cemetery. The Post continues to hold these Memorial Day service's.
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Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday, celebrated on the last Monday of May, commemorating men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Initially (officially since 1868 - proclaimed by General John Logan), Memorial Day, was a holiday in memory of the soldiers who died in the Civil War. The feast was supposed to be a step towards national reconciliation. The original name, Decoration Day, comes from placing flowers on the graves of the soldiers.
Memorial Day was celebrated differently in different states. Until 1890 it was celebrated in all the states of the North. After World War I, the nature of the holiday changed to honor the memory of all Americans who died in any war - not just the Civil War.
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There is often a religious service.
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