In Southwest Florida and across the country, Memorial Day is a time of family fun – a long weekend and the unofficial start of summer. But the holiday also has a deeper purpose of honoring those in the armed forces who sacrificed their lives in service to our country.

The first Memorial Day celebrations took place in the 1860s. Then known as Decoration Day, it honored Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. The celebration grew in the years that followed to embrace all military personnel who died defending our freedom. In 1971, Congress established Memorial Day as a federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May.

This Memorial Day, let us all give thought to the heroes who gave everything to protect our way of life.

Sincerely,

Nadereh Salim
Chief Executive Officer
Children’s Network of Southwest Florida