VALDOSTA — A day of remembrance for all those who died in service to the United States, Memorial Day was officially proclaimed by Gen. John Logan on May 5, 1868. Acting as national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, he did this in his General Order No. 11. The day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery, all this according to usmemorialday.org.
New York was the first state to officially recognize Memorial Day as a holiday in 1873. Today, nearly every state in the country recognizes the Memorial Day holiday on the last Monday in May, a day set aside by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971.
Looking for something to do on Memorial Day or over the course of the three-day holiday weekend?
• A Memorial Day service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Southside Recreation Center, 604 N. Oak St. County Commissioner Edgar Roberts will speak.
• American Legion Post 13 will host a Memorial Day service at Sunset Hill Cemetery on Oak Street at 10 a.m. on Monday.
• Reed Bingham State Park in Adel will kick off its three-day Memorial Day weekend celebration with a Gators in the Dark program on Friday. The fun will continue Saturday and Sunday with a Lowndes County and Creek Indian Era historical program, a kiddie fishing rodeo, pontoon boat rides, animal programs, a birding hike, and more.
Local News
Memorial Day events
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
