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 with spring flowers. By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who have died on active duty in all of America's wars and conflicts. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May.  

"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan." --General John Logan
General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868

Veterans Day on the other hand is a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, and is celebrated each year on November 11. Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the contributions of veterans.  

Sadly, traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored and neglected. Some people mistakenly think the day is for honoring any and all dead, when in fact it is to honor those men and women of the armed forces who’ve fallen while in service to our country.

"History comes and history goes, but principles endure, and ensure future generations will defend liberty not as a gift from government but as a blessing from our Creator." --President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)

The Roman Legion plans and produces the annual Northwest Georgia Memorial Day Parade. The parade takes place on Broad Street in historic Rome, Georgia.  The parade is a celebration of the lives of the men and women who have fallen while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.  

 
Since the inception of the United States of America on July 4, 1776 every generation of Americans have been called
on to defend freedom and liberty. Over the years more than forty-two million American men and women have served
their country in time of war. More than a million have secured the blessings of liberty with their lives.

The National Moment of Remembrance will begin at 3 p.m., Monday, May 30th; the parade will start at 3:01pm from Citizens First Bank and end at Myrtle Hill Cemetery with a memorial service. 

DEADLINE TO ENTER PARADE IS MAY 25, 2011. 

Rules for entering a float: 

1. No fee to be in parade.
2. Absolutely NO candy or other objects are to be thrown.
3. No more than 2 individuals are allowed to ride on seat back of one car.
4. If children are riding on a float, there must be an adult present.
5. Signs should have bold lettering for easy reading. Glitter on top of lettering is permitted.
6. Floats should be designed to be viewed from both sides.
7. Floats will be judged prior to parade. All floats must be in lineup position by 2pm for judging. 
8. Because this is a memorial parade, participants are ask to conduct themselves respectfully. Waving and polite acknowledgment of the public is perfectly all right, but please, no screaming and yelling.
9. Dress should be Sunday casual at a minimum. Please, No shorts, tank tops, etc.
10. Please, No sirens, blowing horns or loud exhaust systems. 

Theme Guidelines: Floats may…

* depict a historical event, i.e., raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, Washington crossing the Delaware, etc.
* be of a generic patriotic nature, i.e., an eagle surrounded by U.S. or State flags or a camp life scene.
* have a memorial theme, i.e., scene of a military cemetery or the Vietnam Wall or other monument.
* Or be a combination of the above.
* But all should in some way memorialize the fallen of the armed forces.
* Other ideas are welcome but must be pre-approved when the entry from is received.