It's Memorial Day, Thank You For Your Service To All Members Of U.S. Military and Their Families - Roosevelt Island Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony Today With Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Singer Carole King At FDR Four Freedoms Park

In addition to enjoying ourselves this Memorial Day weekend with a day off from work, friends, family and outdoor barbecues, let's also take a moment to remember the men and women of the United States Military who are currently serving our country, those veterans who have done so in the past and those who gave their lives.



 From History.com:

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer...

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves...

More on Memorial Day from History.com and here's President Obama's Memorial Day remarks:



and today at Arlington National Cemetery.



Did you know there was a Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony today at Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park? Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and singer Carole King knew.

@carolynbmaloney following the laying of the wreath for #MemorialDay. #FDR #Veterans #honortheheroes #4freedomspark twitter.com/4FreedomsPark/…
— FDRFourFreedomsPark (@4FreedomsPark) May 27, 2013

@carolynbmaloney & @carole_king at the bust. A #beautiful day for a wreath laying ceremony. Thanks to all who came! twitter.com/4FreedomsPark/…
— FDRFourFreedomsPark (@4FreedomsPark) May 27, 2013

UPDATE 5/28 - Here's press release from Congresswoman Maloney's office:

On Monday, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY12) led a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony Monday at Roosevelt Island’s Four Freedoms Park.

“I am so thrilled to be here for the very first Memorial Day Celebration and remembrance in this beautiful new park. My father served in World War II. My husband served in peacetime, in the Navy. And my brother was a veteran of the Vietnam War. So I know, firsthand, about the sacrifice that they and their families have made for our country. That is why we gather today, to express the thanks of a grateful nation,” said Congresswoman Maloney.

The wreath-laying ceremony was held to honor the military men and women who have bravely served the country, and to mark the first Memorial Day in Four Freedoms Park. The new park was developed, in part, with a $500,000 federal grant that Congresswoman Maloney secured. Congresswoman Maloney spoke near a large bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and praised President Roosevelt’s commitment to veterans.

“President Roosevelt understood how important it is to help the courageous men and women who return from war reintegrate into society, help them recover from the war, and earn a living. Those priorities are just as important today, with thousands of men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said.

The park, which Congresswoman Maloney helped open in October 2012, is named after Roosevelt’s famous Four Freedoms Speech: The Freedom of Speech, the Freedom of Worship, the Freedom from Want and the Freedom from Fear.

Before giving the keynote address, Congresswoman Maloney was introduced by her close friend, music legend Carole King, who recently became the first woman to receive the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. “If you’re a woman, if you’re a first responder, or a veteran. If you’re a consumer or an investor. If you’re a survivor of Superstorm Sandy, or human-trafficking, or one of the many constituents she helps each and every day, you have a friend in Carolyn Maloney, and I am proud to say that she has a friend in me,” said King, before embracing Congresswoman Maloney.

Before resting a ceremonial wreath near the Roosevelt monument, Congresswoman Maloney thanked Sally Minard, Gina Pollara, and Ambassador Bill vanden Heuvel for all their work to develop and open the park. She also lauded the work of designer Louis Kahn.