What’s the Difference Between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day?

Memorial Day honors the men and women in the U.S. military who gave their lives in service to their country, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

Also, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May, while Veterans Day is in November. For many Americans, Memorial Day also marks the beginning of the traditional summer holiday season.

Memorial Day started out as “Decoration Day” after the Civil War. Union Army veterans would decorate the graves of their fallen brethren with flowers. By the 1900s, the holiday had incorporated Confederate traditions, and became Memorial Day.

Today, many observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials and placing flowers or flags on the graves of those who died in military service. Many towns across the country, like Lambertville, hold parades.

Lambertville’s Annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of North Union and Cherry streets, and proceeds along the entire length of Union Street — stopping at City Hall for a wreath-laying at the City’s War Memorial, before returning to Mary Sheridan Park for a commemoration ceremony.

This year’s grand marshal is Lambertville native and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Phil Faherty III. Those wishing to march in the parade are asked to gather at the CVS parking lot at 299 N. Main St. at 8:15 a.m. on Monday.