• Article Photo. Flags honor the tombstones of Civil War veterans buried at Evergreeen Cemetery
    Flags honor the tombstones of Civil War veterans buried at Evergreeen Cemetery
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Fireworks light up the sky behind the flag at the Bar-Y Ranch, where IPA members gathered.
    Fireworks light up the sky behind the flag at the Bar-Y Ranch, where IPA members gathered.
  • Article Photo. Matt Lash and Jacob Bunge play taps during the St. Mary's Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony.
    Matt Lash and Jacob Bunge play taps during the St. Mary's Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony.
  • Article Photo. Vinton-area veterans are leading services in several places today.
    Vinton-area veterans are leading services in several places today.
  • Article Photo. Memorial Day, 2014: Veterans salute those who died serving their country.
    Memorial Day, 2014: Veterans salute those who died serving their country.
  • Article Photo. Gabe Schmidt, wearing the old Navy uniform of his dad, Vic, watches the parade to the bridge.
    Gabe Schmidt, wearing the old Navy uniform of his dad, Vic, watches the parade to the bridge.
  • Article Photo. The audience watches as Auxiliary members honor Navy dead with an anchor wreath placed in the river.
    The audience watches as Auxiliary members honor Navy dead with an anchor wreath placed in the river.
  • Article Photo. A crowd gathered at Veterans Park for the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday.
    A crowd gathered at Veterans Park for the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday.

In Vinton, as througout the U.S., veterans will lead Memorial Day services at parks, cemeteries and other locations in honor of those who served their country, and in honor of those who gave their lives for America. 

There are several places in the U.S. where people claim to be the first to hold Memorial Day events.

One of the early famous events took place May 1, 1865, in Charleston, S.C.

See a couple historical links below:

May 1, 1865

Waterloo, NY