White House Commission on Remembrance

Memorial Day:

Did you know that there was a White House Commission on Remembrance, tasked with (among other things) keeping Memorial Day alive? It is the only active Presidential Commission to be established by Congress, which demanded it by force of law just toward the end of the Clinton Administration. It establishes the "National Moment of Silence," on the apparent theory that a whole day of rememberance is too much to ask. The commission explains:

In May 1996, the idea of the Moment was born when children touring Washington, DC, were asked what Memorial Day meant. They responded, "That's the day the pools open!"

On December 28, 2000, by Public Law 106-579, the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was established. The Moment has the personal support of the President of the United States.

The moment begins at 3 PM local time, wherever you happen to be.

Marine Moms and Dads has proposed in addition a candle ceremony, to be held at 8 PM Iraq time. This means lighting a candle in the morning here (Pacific -- 9am Mountain -- 10am Central -- 11am Eastern -- 12pm), but the purpose is ceremonial. It is intended to honor the Fallen, and the living who soldier on.