Stretching back for over 150 years, Americans have honored those who have lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces. 

The tradition will continue on Monday, May 30, as the local American Legion Post 164 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5580 host ceremonies at both the Yelm and Roy cemeteries.

“These ceremonies are open to everyone who would like to remember our fallen soldiers,” American Legion Post 164 Commander Clay Williams said. “We encourage everyone to come out as this is a time we could come together.”

The American Legion, VFW, local boy and girl scouts, auxiliaries for both the Legion and VFW and the Sons of the Legion will organize the ceremonies. A ceremonial color guard will be present. There will also be prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance and words on why Memorial Day is important and why the veteran organizations hold their ceremonies.

Members of the auxiliary will lay a wreath down during the memorials for fallen soldiers, and Prisoners of War will also be honored.

“It’s a sobering ceremony as it’s quiet and offers reflection on the men and women that passed in service to this country,” Williams said.

The ceremony at the Yelm cemetery is scheduled for 11 a.m. and the ceremony at the Roy cemetery will be at 2 p.m.

“We’ve been doing this as far back as our history as an organization goes,” Williams said.

After the Civil War, many towns across the country began holding their own Memorial Day of sorts to honor the loss of life that occurred in the country. The name Memorial Day was first used in 1882 and was called “Decoration Day” after World War II. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which made Memorial Day traditionally on the last Monday of May.