Each year on the last Monday in May, Americans pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to our nation. Memorial Day is a solemn reminder that the freedoms we enjoy were secured at an extraordinary cost.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the observance began after the Civil War, when communities decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags. The first widely recognized national commemoration took place on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 participants helped adorn the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. What began as an act of remembrance for Civil War casualties eventually expanded to honor those lost in all American conflicts.
By 1873, New York became the first state to declare Memorial Day a legal holiday. Following World War I, the day evolved into a national tribute to all Americans who died in service. In 1971, Memorial Day was officially designated a federal holiday, observed on the last Monday in May.
Today, Arlington National Cemetery remains at the heart of the nation’s commemoration. Small American flags are placed at each grave, and the President or Vice President traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
For many years, I have been deeply moved by the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb. The precision, discipline, and reverence displayed by the Sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment—“The Old Guard”—reflect the highest ideals of honor and service. These soldiers stand watch 24 hours a day, in every kind of weather, embodying a profound respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
While Memorial Day often marks the unofficial start of summer, its true meaning calls us to reflect. It is a day to remember the fallen, to honor their families, and to acknowledge the enduring cost of freedom.
Memorial Day in Benicia
Memorial Day in Benicia carries special meaning, rooted in the city’s deep military history.
Nestled along the Carquinez Strait, the historic Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery is the oldest military cemetery in the Pacific States. Established in 1849, it served as the post cemetery for the Benicia Barracks, which was once the headquarters for the U.S. Army’s Pacific Division. The cemetery holds 212 interments dating from 1849 to 1958, including U.S. military personnel, civilians, unknown soldiers, German and Italian prisoners of war, and even three military service dogs. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Benicia Arsenal–Benicia Barracks Historic District.
Each year, the Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall hosts a moving Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery. While the 2026 schedule is still being finalized, last year’s observance included morning flag ceremonies at the Veterans Memorial Hall, Benicia City Cemetery, and the Historic Arsenal Post Cemetery, accompanied by the Diablo Regional Concert Band. At noon, flags were raised to full staff, followed by the Post Everlasting Ceremony and a community gathering at the Hall.
Located at 1150 First Street, the Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall serves as both a historic landmark and an active community gathering space. It is home to several veteran organizations, including VFW Post 3928, American Legion Post 101, the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion. Together, these groups honor those who served while continuing to support veterans and their families.
