5.26.25 – Memorial Day 2025: Remember and Honor

Monday, May 26, 2025

Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many Americans commemorate this day by visiting cemeteries, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.

The origins of Memorial Day date back to the Civil War. In 1861, Black men wanted to enlist, but federal law prohibited their service. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 allowed enslaved people in Confederate states to fight for their freedom. On May 1, 1865, freed people and members of the U.S. Colored Troops honored fallen Union soldiers in a parade in Charleston, South Carolina.

Initially called Decoration Day, the holiday was created to honor those lost in the Civil War. During World War I, it evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all conflicts, becoming known as Memorial Day.

In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, encouraging Americans to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. every Memorial Day to remember those who have served.

In honor of our Active and Veteran Military Flight Attendants, APFA is proud to introduce our Military Appreciation pin. This special pin was designed by both current and Veteran Flight Attendants from various branches of the military and will be available exclusively to those who have served or are currently serving. To request your pin, please complete the Military Pin Request Form.

Today, we honor the sacrifice of all who died in service to our country, recognizing that our freedom came at a high cost. Let us remember their bravery.