Remember the True Meaning of Memorial Day: To Honor and Remember Those Americans Who Died Defending Freedom!

PHOENIX, May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Unfortunately, many Americans don't know what Memorial Day is all about.  Memorial Day IS NOT about getting an extra day off from work or taking advantage of the many sales that will be offered. 

U-Haul is teaming up with The Memorial Day Foundation to remind the public to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day: "To honor and remember those Americans who died defending freedom."

The Memorial Day Foundation is running an initiative to involve the public in patriotism and remembrance through historical and traditional ways of observing Memorial Day. One such way is with flowers. Placing the gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual practiced worldwide in every culture. Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, on May 30^th, when Americans would decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with flowers. 

Today, The Memorial Day Foundation continues this tradition by bringing floral bouquets of artificial silk flowers flag-draped in red, white and blue to the national war memorials in Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to those who fought and died for us.  The tradition of red flowers is meant to be a symbol of the blood that was shed for our freedom and liberty, and dates back to the Civil War. Red roses also are the universal symbol of love.  

You can show your patriotism and support by purchasing a bouquet with your personalized memorial message of remembrance and you can also designate which war memorial you would like the bouquet delivered to.  Bouquets start at $15 and can be purchased online at http://www.memorialdayfoundation.org/categories-listing/product/show/1-delivered-to-war-memorial-memorial-day-bouquet.html?utm_campaign=prnews&utm_source=company-news&utm_medium=memorial-day or by calling 718-383-2877.

Bouquets will be delivered by The Memorial Day Foundation and U-Haul to the national war memorials on Friday, May 24, 2014, so that they will be in place for the entire Memorial Day weekend.

Contact:
Paul D'Elia
917-862-2950
The Memorial Day Foundation
www.memorialdayfoundation.org

About The Memorial Day Foundation
The Memorial Day Foundation's mission is to increase awareness and respect for Memorial Day. We are trying to fullfil our mission by involving the public in our historical and traditional ways of remembering Memorial Day. One of these traditional ways is with flowers. The gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual that occurs around the world in every culture. As you probably know, our own Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, when on the 30th of May Americans would decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with flowers.  Today, The Memorial Day Foundation continues this tradition.  The Memorial Day Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. The Memorial Day Foundation has no paid positions and relies on volunteers, donors and services offered free of charge.  Learn more by visiting www.memorialdayfoundation.org.     

About U-Haul

Joanne Fried, Director, Media and Public Relations
Ashleigh Wagner, Senior Media and Public Relations Specialist
U-Haul International, Inc.
(602) 263-6194
[email protected]

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SOURCE U-Haul