Memorial Day and National Moment of Remembrance at 3 PM

Arlington National Cemetery

Rest for Our Soldiers

Originally called "Decoration Day" to honor fallen Union soldiers following the American Civil War (1861-1865), Memorial Day marked a more general remembrance of all fallen U.S. servicemen following World War I.

On December 2000, Congress and then-President William J. Clinton enacted S. 3181, the "National Moment of Remembrance Act" (Public Law 106-579), which asks that on this day, Americans everywhere pause for 1 minute of silence, beginning at 3 PM local time, to quietly honor those American men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

For many families today who have lost loved ones abroad, the day holds even more meaning.

For those who ask themselves what it means to be a patriot, they need look no further than stories like these.

What will you be doing at 3 PM?