Memorial Day in Roseville
Community and Commemoration
Memorial Day is on Monday, the day Americans remember and honor those who died while serving in the US military.
Originally called Decoration Day, the custom started after the Civil War to memorialize those who died defending the United States against the Confederacy. Decoration Day was celebrated by laying flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. One of the first recorded commemorations was by formerly enslaved people on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. Different groups and states celebrated it differently on different days, with May 30 being the most common day for decades.
After World War I, Americans across the country started regularly observing Memorial Day in a more unified way . In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which established Memorial Day as a federal holiday on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day has evolved over the years to include remembering US military personnel who died in all wars.
Here are a few ways to connect with Veterans Service Organizations and commemorate Memorial Day in Roseville:
Rosetown American Legion
700 County Rd C W
The American Legion was founded by an Act of Congress after World War I in 1919. It is the nation’s largest veteran’s service organization, advocating for veterans and service members on Capitol Hill, supporting military families, and dedicated to preventing veteran suicide.
Rosetown Post 542 American Legion was chartered on November 5, 1946, before Roseville was itself was incorporated in 1948. In 1956, the Legion purchased 11.9 acres of the Gangl Dairy Farm on County Rd. C. It’s a membership organization open to veterans, spouses, children, and other relatives of a veteran. Rosetown American Legion is home to the Station No. 6 food truck, serving up burgers and fried chicken sandwiches Wednesday - Saturday. Rosetown is open every day starting at 12, serving up drinks, card games, and opportunities to socialize. Bingo, meat and gift card raffles, karaoke, and live music can be enjoyed regularly throughout the week. Check out the Rosetown website for the calendar.
On Memorial Day, the Backyard Band is playing 2 - 6pm and the Station No. 6 kitchen will be open.
Roseville VFW Post 7555
1145 Woodhill Drive
The Veterans of Foreign Wars was established in 1914 with the mission to serve veterans and create community for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. On a national level, the VFW works to pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families, volunteers in the VA medical system, conducts patriotic programs for students, and offers scholarships for youth. Membership in the VFW is open to U.S. citizens or US nationals who are currently serving in the military (or have received an honorable discharge), and be currently serving in or have completed in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or hostile waters.
According to the VFW website, the nonprofit veterans service organization traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. When servicemembers returned home from war, many were wounded or sick and there was no medical care of veterans’ pensions for them. So they banded together to meet their needs.
“Our voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development of the national cemetery system, in the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome,” the VFW website states.
The Roseville VFW Post 7555 is open daily starting at 11 am. Come in for lunch, happy hour, karaoke, pull tabs, live music events, Bingo, gift card raffles, and more.
There is no advertised Memorial Day event, but the annual car show is coming on Friday, May 30 at 3 PM and the Arcades are playing live music from 5-9 PM. BBQ will be outside sponsored by United States Veteran Reserve Corps. Learn more about upcoming events at the Roseville VFW’s website.
Memorial Day Weekend at Roselawn Cemetery
803 West Larpenteur Ave
This weekend, Roselawn Cemetery is hosting the Roselawn Heritage Foundation’s 4th Annual Picnic on the Patio. Enjoy a hotdog and chips for $5 on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 11 AM to 2 PM. A live vocalist and organ music will be playing during that time in the Roselawn Cemetery Chapel.
A Memorial Day Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday at 10:00 AM. Bring something to sit on. Learn more here.
For more on the history of Memorial Day:
Sharon McMahon
Associated Press
