Memorial Day: Remembering heroes, welcoming summer

MEMORIAL DAY 2021

Honoring the Fallen on May 31

Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, is unofficially the start of summer and all the beachy, breezy fun that brings.

But the holiday’s first and foremost priority is to commemorate and honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In observance of the holiday, many people will visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers will place American flags on each gravesite at national cemeteries.

A national moment of remembrance will take place at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, May 31.

This year, many services have been canceled locally, as the country begins to emergefromtheCOVID-19pandemicthat also shut down last year’s events.

For example, the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station will not host its traditional Memorial Day event at the U.S.

National Submarine Memorial this year.

But for residents looking for a simple nearby service, Leisure World’s American Legion Post 327 will hold an observance May 31 at Veterans Plaza under the flags.

It will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the laying of a memorial wreath and conclude at 11 a.m. with the playing of “Taps.”

Everyone is welcome to attend.