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Published
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May 25, 2020 due to the covid-19 By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services The vast majority of U.S. citizens living in Costa Rica know that Memorial Day is observed today, which is a national holiday commemorating the men and women who died while serving in the military. In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials. It is customary for volunteers to place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. The first time this day was commemorated was on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, New York, a site recognized by the presidential proclamation as the place where the tradition of remembering the fallen in combat and decorating the graves of the deceased was born.  -American Legion CR photo- Last year, the American Legion Costa Rica held a Memorial Day Ceremony at Campo de Esperanza Cemetery in San Antonio de Escazu. Veterans conducted the traditional Scarlet Rose Ceremony with the names of the departed read and a rose was placed on the Remembrance Stone. There were speeches by members of the Marine Corps League Costa Rica, the U.S. Embassy Marine Detachment and expat residents. This year, according to Pat Kilburn, Commander of Costa Rica- American Legion, in an announcement made in April, veteran’s organizations suspended the main meetings "until this Virus is gone because as you know, we are some of the most vulnerable people, those of us that are up in years," he said. The American Legion in Costa Rica is expected to announce the date of the Memorial Day celebration during these days.  -The United States Embassy photo- Last year, at the facilities of the United States Embassy located in Pavas, San José Province, the Peace Garden dedicated to the people who sacrificed their lives in the services of the United States of America was inaugurated. In observance of Memorial Day, the Embassy and Consular Section will be closed today. The offices will open again on Tuesday, May 26, at the normal hours of 8:00 a.m. at 4:30 p.m.  -VOA photo- Memorial Day in the United States the flags that are flying at half-staff across the country today to honor those service members were, under President Donald Trump’s orders, at half-staff from Friday through Sunday for the nearly 100,000 U.C. citizens who have died from the coronavirus, reported Voice of America Journal. According to the report, U.S. toll, by far the highest in the world, includes more than 1,000 veterans who have died from covid-19, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The holiday is also the unofficial start of the summer vacation season in the United States, but with social distancing guidelines, restrictions on certain travelers from overseas and millions of job losses, the season is set to be different than in years past. Monday early morning, Trump plans to place a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and then spend part of Memorial Day at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where a historic battle in the War of 1812 was fought. Baltimore Mayor Jack Young had pleaded with the president not to come, saying it sends the wrong message when the mayor has urged Baltimoreans not to travel. Trump has refused to wear masks in public, and Young said Trump’s visit is not essential. Health experts and local authorities are urging people heading to beaches, holiday picnics and cookouts to practice social distancing. White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Deborah Birx said she is “very concerned" by the pictures and video she has been seeing all weekend of people crowded together at swimming pools and other recreation sites without masks. “We know being outside does help, we know the sun does help in killing the virus, but that doesn’t change the fact that people need to be responsible and maintain that distance,” she told Fox News Sunday. “I was hoping to convey this very clear message to the American people across the country: There is a virus out there.” ------------------------ How do you celebrate Memorial Day in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
