Memorial Day

Memorial Day, the 'unofficial start of summer,' will be on Monday, May 25. Memorial Day Weekend is always packed full of activities and events all around the area. Here is our 2015 Memorial Day Weekend activity guide for the Quincy/Hannibal area.

Memorial Day in 2014 is on Monday, May 26. The holiday always falls on the last Monday of the month.

In watching, listening or reading the news this past weekend I would have thought it was November 11th instead of Memorial Day. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.

The Quincy Exchange Club just concluded the annual Gus Macker Basketball tournament for the 23rd consecutive year. That’s right, 23 straight years this city has reaped the rewards of having thousands of people come to the downtown area during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Not that I need an excuse to grill (or to eat), but soon Memorial Day will be here. I am not sure if I will host a barbecue at my house this Memorial Day weekend. I won't know that until the middle of May. If I don't host, I will at least help with the planning and execution of a barbecue at my in-laws.

Saturday evening, the public is invited to attend the 5th annual Memorial Lantern Float. This event is a ceremonial release of lanterns into the Mississippi from Nipper Park as symbols of the universal hope for peace, open to all regardless of religion or background.

Support for the wristband fundraiser for the Barry American Legion Flag Fund was overwhelming.

I hope you have had a great Memorial Day weekend.  I always enjoy this over just about any other holiday because it is one of the few times during the year when I don't work.  Along with the relaxation, I also find myself focusing on something else during this weekend that frankly I tend to forget about too often:  my father's military service during WW2.

Finally, the extended Memorial Day weekend is here.

A big thanks to everyone who has helped the Barry American Legion with their donations for the Flag Fund.