BEAUMONT, Texas — Memorial Day, observed the last Monday in May each year, is a holiday that pays tribute to American military members who have died in service to the U.S.
The first observance of Decoration Day honored soldiers who died in the Civil War, the deadliest war in American history. The U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum says General John Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. He chose May 30 because it wasn’t the anniversary of any Civil War battle.
Here's a few Memorial Day celebrations and events around Southeast Texas.
This is not an exhaustive list. If there are other Memorial Day events not mentioned in this article, please email 12News@12NewsNow.com.
Friday, May 26
VFW Post 2033 Flags & Poppies
- Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Walmart in Woodville
- VFW Post 2033 will be giving away poppies and American flags on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday, May 27
Memorial Day Flag Planting
- Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 11a.m.
- Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine St in Beaumont
- Scouts, veterans and patriotic citizens are invited to help plant flags for the 6,500 veterans buried at the cemetery.
Evergreen Cemetery Association's Memorial Day service
- Sunday at 10 a.m.
- First Full Gospel Church, 3290 Pine St in Beaumont
- The Evergreen Cemetery Association and Jefferson County Historical Commission will honor veterans interred at Evergreen Cemetery.
- Newly erected headstones for Private Jerry Lloyd, a Buffalo Soldier, and Sergeant George Shaw. Lloyd was previously unrecognized and buried in an unmarked grave.
VFW Post 2033 Flags & Poppies
- Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Walmart in Woodville
- VFW Post 2033 will be giving away poppies and American flags on Friday and Saturday.
Memorial Day Crawfish Boil
- Saturday at Noon
- Faith tabernacle at 3345 U.S. 69 S, in Kountze
Sunday, May 28
Orange County Memorial Day Ceremony
- Sunday at 6:15 p.m.
- First Church of the Nazarene at 3810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr in Orange
- Annual Memorial Day performance of the Community Band of Southeast Texas
Monday, May 29
Forest Lawn Memorial Day event
- Monday at 10 a.m.
- Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine St in Beaumont
Port Neches & VFW 4820 Memorial Day Ceremony
- Monday at 10:30 a.m.
- Oak Bluff Memorial Park at 618 Block Street in Port Neches
- Annual Memorial Day performance of the Community Band of Southeast Texas for VFW Post 4820 and Oak Bluff Memorial Park
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