In recognition of this year’s Memorial Day holiday, Team AgLearn is providing information to honor those who have given their lives in service of their country.
Background
Memorial Day commemorates all the women and men who have died while in military service and will be observed this year on May 27, 2024, the last Monday in May as designated by Federal law (36 U.S.C. 116 External Link).
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning- draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
Public Law 106-579 External Link, signed into law December 28, 2000, designated 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year as the ‘‘National Moment of Remembrance" and created the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.
- More information about the Memorial Day holiday in the United States External Link
- Presidential Proclamation – Coming soon!
Events
As we prepare for Memorial Day, we invite you to attend the USDA Military Appreciation Month series to support USDA servicemembers, veterans, spouses and military families. All USDA employees are welcome to attend!
Serving your Country and Serving USDA: Roundtable with USDA Active Military Members
Date: Monday May 20th, 1pm – 2pm ET
Description: Please join us for a Roundtable discussion to hear from USDA servicemembers and the impact they are making serving our country and serving USDA. What drives them to serve? What brought them to USDA? Why is service important to them? What are the challenges and successes of serving both USA and USDA?
USDA Veterans and Military Spouse Employee Organizations: Meet and Greet
Date: Tuesday May 21st, 1pm – 2pm ET
Description: Join us to meet leaders from the USDA Veterans Employee Organization Meet and the USDA Military Spouse Association. These groups have been formed to support USDA veterans, servicemembers, and military spouses of all rates and ranks. ALL are welcome to learn about these groups, hear about their ongoing efforts to support veterans and spouses, and learn how to join them!
Register: USDA Veterans and Military Spouse Employee Organizations: Meet and Greet event External Link
Military Buy Back / Military Annual & Sick Leave
Date: Wednesday May 22nd, 1pm – 2pm ET
Description: Hear from USDA experts to learn all there is to know about Military Buy Back and Leave. Topics include:
- Annual Leave: 4 hour per pay period vs 6 hours,
- Sick Leave for disabled vets within 12 months of hire.
Register: Military Buy Back / Military Annual & Sick Leave event External Link