National moment of remembrance

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The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute). The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.

Contents 1 How to Participate 2 Why 3 Background 4 Participants 5 External links

[edit] How to Participate

Wherever you are, observe the Moment at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day. Ask others to remember — relatives, friends, church, neighborhood, or co-workers to observe the Moment at places such as your neighborhood, local pool, picnic grounds, etc., for one minute of Remembrance. Participation can be informal as ringing a bell three times to signify the Moment.

[edit] Why

To provide a time of Remembrance for America’s fallen and to make a commitment to give something back to our country in their memory.

To have Americans participate in an act of national unity and demonstrate gratitude and respect for those who died for freedom since the founding of our Nation. To provide a sense of history to our citizens and ensure that younger generations understand the sacrifices made to preserve our liberties.

[edit] Background

The idea for the Moment was born when children touring the Nation’s Capital were asked by the Commission’s Director what Memorial Day means. They responded, “That’s the day the pool opens.” A Gallup Poll revealed that only 28% of Americans know the meaning of this noble holiday.

The White House Commission on Remembrance was established by Congress (PL 106-579) to promote the values of Memorial Day by acts of remembrance throughout the year. The major initiative of the Commission

[edit] Participants

As laid out in Public Law 106-579, the National Moment of Remembrance is to be practiced by all Americans throughout the nation at 3pm eastern standard time. At the same time, a number of organizations throughout the country also observe the Moment: all Major League Baseball games halt, Amtrak train whistles sound across the country, and hundreds of other nationwide participants remind Americans to pause for the Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance.

Other participants include:

• NASCAR
• Greyhound
• Empire State Building
• National Grocers Association
• Statue of Liberty
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• National Constitution Center
• NASA
• United Spinal Association
• Delaware Park
• Liberty Bell
• National Association for Music Education
• Bugles Across America
• Getzen Instrument Company

Each year at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, Americans unite in a National Moment of Remembrance which honors America’s fallen and their families. During this Moment, 200 Amtrak trains blast their whistles, approximately 500,000 Major League Baseball fans are joined in silence, and countless other participants make a vow to remember.

This year’s Moment is rapidly approaching, and we will officially begin our countdown on December 7, which is the anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. This day will mark 161 days until the National Moment of Remembrance.

However, it is never early enough to begin the countdown to the National Moment of Remembrance. The ticker above is just one of the various countdown clocks we have available that you can put on your own website or pass along to friends. For more information on how you can get your own ticker countdown, visit this website: [ http://www.remember.gov/portals/0/countdown/countdown_links.htm]

[edit] External links

• White House Commission on Remembrance Website

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