Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, is a U.S. federal holiday for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May, will be held on May 28, 2018. The holiday was held on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day --- Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
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Monday, May 28, is Memorial Day, one of six days each year Postal Service facilities are required to fly the POW-MIA flag. The flag honors the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces held as Prisoners Of War or listed as Missing In Action.
Facilities
that are open on the holiday must fly the U.S. flag at half-staff. The POW-MIA
flag must fly below the U.S. flag.
The U.S.
flag must be flown at half-staff from sunrise — or the hour when it’s raised — until
noon. Then, hoist the flag to the peak of the staff, where it either must fly
until the time of closing or no later than sunset (unless the flag is lighted).
Facilities
that fly the flag at all times and are closed on Memorial Day should lower the
flag to half-staff when the facility closes prior to the holiday. Return the
flag to full staff when the facility opens Tuesday, May 29.
For
additional information, please refer to the Postal Service’s guidelines on U.S.
flag display and maintenance, as well as requirements for displaying the
POW-MIA flag, in the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), Section 471 at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/asm/html/asmc4_019.htm.
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