Two observances are scheduled in Juneau for Memorial Day.
The annual downtown service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Evergreen Cemetery, hosted by Taku Post 5559 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The Mendenhall Valley observance is at Alaskan Memorial Park on Riverside Drive, also at 11 a.m. It will be hosted by Auke Bay Post 25 of the American Legion.
While many people think of Memorial Day as a day off work and the beginning of summer, it was first observed after the American Civil War when families would decorate the graves of their loved ones who died in the war. It was known then as Decoration Day.
It is now an opportunity to remember all of those who have served their country.
On Memorial Day, the American flag should be flown at half-staff until noon then raised to full staff.
