Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, originated after the American Civil War to commemorate fallen soldiers of the Civil War. This practice of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers has now been extended to all soldiers lost in service to their country.
The flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.