President's Message & Press release

Today is a day of remembrance to honor the sacrifice made by the brave servicemen and servicewomen who have died during their service in the United States military.  To help remind us of this holiday's history and traditions here are some interesting facts about this holiday. PMI Buffalo wishes you a meaningful Memorial day.

Memorial Day Facts

• Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day: The holiday began as a way to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War, but the day now honors all U.S. veterans who have sacrificed their lives.
• In 1971, Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday taking place on the last Monday in May.
• New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day as an official holiday.
• There’s a specific way to display the American flag on Memorial Day, according to the U.S. Flag Code: hoist the flag quickly up to full staff at sunrise, then lower to half-staff until noon, and then return to the top of the staff.
• Poppies have become a symbol of Memorial Day because they are mentioned in a 1915 poem by Canadian soldier John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields.”
• Many Americans mark Memorial Day with an official moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
• The first Indianapolis 500 race took place on Memorial Day in 1911.
• The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated by then-Chief Justice William Taft on Memorial Day in 1922.