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Marking Memorial Day Before the picnics and pool openings, Americans pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed, and those who serve and sacrifice still. A tradition that began with the Civil War's "last full measure of devotion" lives on as U.S. troops face peril in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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Special Series

Marking Memorial Day

Before the picnics and pool openings, Americans pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed.

Memorial Day in Iraq Includes Fresh Memories of Fallen Friends

U.S. troops in Iraq held Memorial Day ceremonies amid continued fighting with Iraqi insurgents. For some soldiers, simply going out on patrol brings back memories of those who have fallen.

Memorial Day in Iraq Includes Fresh Memories of Fallen Friends

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After Remembering, Memorial Day is for Fun

All Things Considered reports on some of the more unusual events taking place around the country on this Memorial Day. Melissa Block talks with Gwen Gillen, sculptor of a bust of Michelle Witmer. She was a specialist in the Wisconsin National Guard killed in action in Iraq. She also speaks with people celebrating the holiday in California, Iowa and Massachusetts.

After Remembering, Memorial Day is for Fun

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Bush Visits Arlington Cemetery for Memorial Day

President Bush leads the nation in honoring those who have fallen in uniform. As the commander-in-chief does every year on Memorial Day, he visited Arlington National Cemetery this morning. The president spoke about service to country, sacrifice and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Bush Visits Arlington Cemetery for Memorial Day

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Bush Honors Fallen at Arlington National Cemetery

President Bush lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Noting the sacrifices of servicemen and women lost in Afghanistan and Iraq, he said: "Two terrorist regimes are gone forever. Freedom is on the march and America is more secure."

Bush Honors Fallen at Arlington National Cemetery

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A Historical Perspective of Memorial Day

Memorial Day emerged from the U.S. Civil War as a day of remembrance for service men and women who have died for this country. Since then, the significance of the day has fluctuated with public opinion. Matthew Dennis, history professor at the University of Oregon and author of Red, White and Blue Letter Days: Identity, History and the American Calendar, offers some historical perspective.

A Historical Perspective of Memorial Day

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A Jewish Soldier's View of Iraq

Army Spec. Joe Kashnow, one of a limited number of Jewish soldiers on active duty in Iraq, lost his leg in an explosion. His observations on the conflict were recorded by producer Jessie Graham for the online Jewish literature and culture magazine Nextbook.org.

A Jewish Soldier's View of Iraq

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Blue Star Mothers, Offering Support

Penny Fourth, whose son Aaron is serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq, describes efforts of the Blue Star Mothers, a support group for families of active-duty servicemen and women. The group is now in its seventh decade.

Blue Star Mothers, Offering Support

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Korean War Veteran Leads Search for MIAs

Korean War veteran Ron Broward has made nine trips to South Korea in search of the remains of fallen Marines. He's determined to bring his war buddies home, more than half a century after the shooting stopped. Jason Margolis of NPR station KQED has Broward's story.

Korean War Veteran Leads Search for MIAs

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Urban Picnic Advice: Cool Down, Eat Up

A new book offers picnic advice for those frustrated by urban life — or by picnics themselves. The Urban Picnic has guidance about everything that can go on a blanket, from food and drink to music. Its authors say their goal is to help people have a good time, simply.

Urban Picnic Advice: Cool Down, Eat Up

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Roundtable: Soldiers Reflect

A special Memorial Day edition of the roundtable features Staff Sgt. Anthony Smith, an Army reservist who served in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq; Korean War veteran Ted Hudson; and Shirley McDougald, who served in Vietnam. They tell Ed Gordon about military service, sacrifice and why Americans should take time to remember its veterans.

Roundtable: Soldiers Reflect

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Opinion

Service Men and Women on Memorial Day Weekend

All Things Considered brings you the voices of Americans paying their respect to military veterans at Arlington Cemetery and the Vietnam Memorial in Washington this Memorial Day weekend. As in previous years, thousands of Vietnam vets paid tribute with the "Rolling Thunder" military parade.

Service Men and Women on Memorial Day Weekend

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Family Marks First Memorial Day without 'A.J.'

Army Spec. Alan Bean, Jr., of Bridport, Vt., was killed a year ago this week in Iraq when his bunker was struck by mortar fire. He was 22. Family members are preparing for their first Memorial Day since the loss with much support from friends and neighbors. Nina Keck of Vermont Public Radio visits the Beans.

Family Marks First Memorial Day without 'A.J.'

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Veterans Day

'Soldiers and Slaves' Details Saga of Jewish POWs

Roger Cohen's book Soldiers and Slaves tells the story of 350 American GIs sent to labor camps by the Germans during World War II. They were Jewish or suspected of being Jews. More than 70 died in captivity. Cohen and camp survivor Gerald Daub discuss the book.

'Soldiers and Slaves' Details Saga of Jewish POWs

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A Visit to the Women's War Memorial

Congressional debate and the death toll in Iraq have cast fresh attention on the role of women in combat. What do visitors to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C., think?

A Visit to the Women's War Memorial

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Why Do Soldiers Fight?

Throughout American history, soldiers have taken up arms, some to protect their country and democracy, others for different reasons. Princeton University history professor James McPherson offers thoughts on why soldiers fight. He's the author of For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought In The Civil War.

Why Do Soldiers Fight?

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Opinion

Simon Says

Grieving Mother Denied Gold Star Membership

Scott Simon reflects on a mother's grief and a national organization's stance in the wake of her son's death. He was a U.S. Army sergeant killed in Afghanistan. His mother is not permitted to join the Gold Star Mothers because her son wasn't born in the United States.

Grieving Mother Denied Gold Star Membership

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Ridding Vietnam of Deadly Remnants of War

In Vietnam, U.S. war veterans and Jan Scruggs' Project Renew help clear the countryside of hidden dangers: land mines, unexploded bombs and mortars. The explosives, left over from the U.S. war that ended 30 years ago, kill and maim hundreds each year.

Ridding Vietnam of Deadly Remnants of War

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Opinion

Vets? No, But They Write What They Know

Navy veteran Jim Ruland teaches "Writing About the Military Experience," a community college course aimed at veterans. He was surprised when most of his spring students were young women with no military experience. He was more surprised by the essays they wrote about service in the Armed Forces.

Vets? No, But They Write What They Know

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