Where can you and your family honor the fallen over Memorial Day Weekend? Make your plans

Staff Reports
Pooler's National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has placed 26,000 American flags in their Memorial Garden for the annual Flags for the Fallen event. The flags represent the 26,000 Eighth Air Force airmen who were killed in World War II.
Pooler's National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has placed 26,000 American flags in their Memorial Garden for the annual Flags for the Fallen event. The flags represent the 26,000 Eighth Air Force airmen who were killed in World War II.

Memorial Day has somber underpinnings tied to what was known as Decoration Day, when mourners adorned the graves of deceased Civil War soldiers. The last Monday in May was formalized by the “Memorial Day Order” issued in 1868 by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan, who called upon Americans to pray “according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.”

Since then, Memorial Day has come to mark the unofficial start of Summer, boating season and Hollywood’s release of big studio films (“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Garfield Movie” open this weekend). Still, there are plenty of events throughout the Savannah area to honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion.

Pooler's National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has placed 26,000 American flags in their Memorial Garden for the annual Flags for the Fallen event. The flags represent the 26,000 Eighth Air Force airmen who were killed in World War II.
Pooler's National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has placed 26,000 American flags in their Memorial Garden for the annual Flags for the Fallen event. The flags represent the 26,000 Eighth Air Force airmen who were killed in World War II.

Flags for the Fallen

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., May 24, at the National Museum of the Might Eighth Air Force, volunteers will plant 26,000 flags in the Memorial Garden and Chapel grounds to honor the airmen who lost their lives mastering the air over England and Germany during World War II.

Learn more >> mightyeighth.org

Laiken Love and Fellowship of Love will perform as part of Plant Riverside's Memorial Day weekend celebration.
Laiken Love and Fellowship of Love will perform as part of Plant Riverside's Memorial Day weekend celebration.

Down by the River

Plant Riverside turns the Savannah waterfront into a four-day live music festival beginning Friday, May 24. Throughout the weekend, there will be a parade of performances from different indoor and outdoor stages, including from such beloved bands as Bottles and Cans and Laiken Love and the Fellowship of Love. Face painting and other family-friendly events plus a barbecue spread round out the long weekend.

For more info and the full schedule >>plantriverside.com/venues/memorial-day-weekend/

Several of the rifles, flintlocks, and pistols used by interpreters at Old Fort Jackson were stolen during a break in on December 10, 2022.
Several of the rifles, flintlocks, and pistols used by interpreters at Old Fort Jackson were stolen during a break in on December 10, 2022.

Hold down the Forts

Beginning May 25 and continuing through Memorial Day, Old Fort Jackson will offer enhanced programming by its live re-enactment volunteers. Relive historic battles and plug your ears for the powerful cannon firings.

More info >>chsgeorgia.org/OFJ

On May 25, Fort McAllister State Historic Park will commemorate the fallen through living history interpretations, including musket and cannon firings along the banks of the Ogeechee River.

Make your plans >>facebook.com/events/1468436090547241/

Honor in Richmond Hill

The City of Richmond Hill will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m., May 27, at J.F. Gregory Park.

For more info >>richmondhill-ga.gov/462/2024-Memorial-Day-Ceremony

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: where to celebrate Memorial Day 2024 in chatham county ga

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