VFW Post 9365 to commemorate Memorial Day

The first long holiday weekend of the summer is upon us, and while it marks the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day is also a day set aside as a national day to mourn and honor the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of service to our country.

Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868.

VFW Post 9365 will be hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony that begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor, located in front of the Wasilla Police Department, followed by the Walk of Honor to the Aurora Cemetery followed by a grave side ceremony. The events culminate with an open house at VFE Post 9365 at 1:30, with hot dogs and hamburgers provided to the public.

The Veterans Wall of Honor is a monument dedicated to Alaska's veterans, both living and fallen. Names of those who have served are etched in the granite panels, representing every branch of the military.

People can also visit the Alaska Veterans Memorial in Denali State Park, located at Mile 147.1. It features five towering 20-foot tall concrete panels, representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, arranged in a semi-circle, paying homage to our veterans.