Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance of those who have died in our nation’s service.

It first was observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Locally and nationally veterans are honored at cemeteries and military posts.

People gather to honor those who died during or after their military service. In

Sequim, services are held at Blue Mountain, Dungeness, Gardiner, Pioneer Memorial Park and Sequim View cemeteries.

Before the holiday, volunteers through the American Legion, such as Erik and Carmen Wiker and their six children, placed flags at cemeteries to commemorate fallen veterans’ service.

“My dad was in the service, and I grew up going to the cemetery on Memorial Day,” Carmen Wiker said.

“I thought it’d be a good thing for the kids to do, too.”