For many Americans, Memorial Day means a long weekend, trips to the beach and barbecuing in the backyard. But we shouldn’t lose sight of the true meaning of the holiday: honoring the brave military members who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we hold so dear. Their selflessness helped shape our great nation, protected our national ideals and kept our families safe. Memorial Day – the last Monday in May – was officially declared a national holiday by Congress in 1971.1 But New Yorkers were paying tribute to fallen service members far before that, with our state being the first one to make Memorial Day a holiday in 1873.2 Today, there are over 800,000 veterans across the state who served as far back as World War II.3 We’re so grateful to have had them return home, but there are many who sadly didn’t make it back. In their memory, we pay our respects on Memorial Day and remember the sacrifices they made to protect us all. There are a number of events throughout Central New York to honor our fallen military heroes and their families that you can take part in, including:

• 32nd Annual Memorial Day Ceremonies
  Sunday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.
  Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery
  4069 Howlett Hill Road
  Syracuse, NY 13215
• Memorial Day Watchfire
  Sunday, May 27, begins at dusk
  Veterans Memorial Watchfire Park at the New York State Fairgrounds
  581 State Fair Blvd.
  Syracuse, NY 13209
• Village of Fayetteville Memorial Day Parade
  Monday, May 28, 9 a.m.
  Limestone Plaza to Beard Park
• Village of Manlius Memorial Day Parade
  Monday, May 28, 11 a.m.
  Ceremony following at Village Centre
• Cicero Memorial Day Parade
  Monday, May 28, 8:45 a.m.
  Cicero Cemetery to Legion Post on Route 31
  A short service by the James Harvey American Legion Post 787 at Cicero Cemetery will precede the parade
• Village of Minoa Memorial Day Parade
  Monday, May 28, 9 a.m.
  Lewis Park
• Fabius Memorial Day Parade
  Tuesday, May 29, 10:30 a.m.
  Ceremony following at the Monument