It’s the only real honor the living can give the dead – to recall to mind their images, their names and their actions. Memorial Day – just one day in 365 – is set apart to salute those who died in their service to the United States. In a small way, Americans on the last Monday of May restore momentarily those lives lost for the sake of history’s heroes.

We at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club are celebrating this year’s Memorial Day Monday, May 30. Memorial Day at Golden Ocala will serve as a time we can gather together to remember the sacrifices of soldiers past and to connect with family and friends.

Memorial Day BBQ is May 30

The Member Memorial BBQ is 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and includes barbecue, prizes, music, ice cream, games and a water slide. Call 352-629-6229 for reservations.

Historians are unable to verify exactly where Memorial Day originated. In May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the holiday’s birthplace, according to www.usmemorialday.org.

Civil War Gen. John Logan, the Grand Army of Republic’s national commander, proclaimed on May 5, 1868: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” It was called Decoration Day.

New York was the first state in 1873 to recognize the day. All the Northern states began recognizing the day in 1890. The South chose a different day to celebrate until after World War I when it was changed to honor all Americans who died in any war, not just the Civil War.

Congress passed the National Holiday Act of 1971 to observe Memorial Day on the last Monday in May.

Call us today at 352-629-6229 to learn more about the Golden Ocala’s events. Keep up with all of the latest news from Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club following us on Facebook and Twitter.