Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day began as a day to honor and remember Civil War Veterans. Now, Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, honors those soldiers who have died in defense of our nation. Modern day Memorial Day services now encompass all national conflicts of war, including WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf Wars.

Here in Martin County, sponsored by Victory Forge Military Academy, the Road to Victory Military Museum, the Veterans Council of Martin County and neighboring counties, The Cadets for Victory Forge will be setting 2,149 white wooden memorials including crosses and stars representing the all fallen soldiers from all American conflicts between WWI to present day who called the south east coast of Florida home. (Volusia to Monroe counties, including Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach County Brevard, Broward and Dade County.) This is an increase of 1,905 wooden memorials from 2007.

The ceremony of setting the crosses will start Tuesday May 20, and will take approximately two and half days to set up. Once completely set up the cadets from Victory Forge will post an Honor Guard at the Memorial similar to the Honor Guard protocol at Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The traditional Memorial Day Services will commence with the marching of veterans and veteran service organizations from the Gazebo at 10 a.m. and end with a service at Memorial Park at 11am. The entire event will take place at Memorial Park, East Ocean Blvd, Stuart.

Details:Setting of the Crosses ~ Tuesday May 20, 9 a.m. until complete

Dedication of Memorial Grounds ~ Friday May 23, 3 p.m.

Honor Guard ~ Twenty four/seven Friday, May 23, 3 p.m. until Monday, May 26, 3 pm.

Memorial Day Services

Monday May 26, 10 a.m.

§ Parade of Veterans starts from the Gazebo on East Ocean Blvd at 10 a.m. and ends at Memorial Park at approximately 11 a.m.

§ Ceremony and dedication at Memorial Park starting at 11 a.m.

Closing Ceremony ~ Monday May 26, 3 p.m.

Victory Forge Military Academy is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization based in Port St. Lucie Florida. Victory Forge is an Intensive, Residential, Academic and Behavior Modification Program that utilizes military style components for the establishment of a "Doctrine of Discipline" in the lives of the teens who come to the school. The objective of Victory Forge is to provide a tough, highly structured, high impact program that will remold and turn around the lives of rebellious and troubled teenagers. Similar to the military, the program objectives are facilitated through the use of a "Code of Conduct" that contains the seven core values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Self Sacrifice, Honor, Integrity, & Personal Courage.

Public Info: Michael Roberts at 772-215-3470 or Inez Frid at 772-370-4571 inez@iproductions.us