Commemorating Memorial Day on YouTube

[Posted by U.S. Army SGT Dale Sweetnam, Global Communications & Public Affairs - Cross-posted from the Google Public Policy Blog]

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day of remembrance that was first observed in 1868 to pay tribute to Union and Confederate soldiers who had died in the Civil War. Over the years, Americans have commemorated the day in different ways -- from wearing red poppies, to decorating graves, to attending military parades.

More recently, people from across the country -- including the President and several Members of Congress -- are using YouTube to share their reflections on what the day means to them.

Congressman Joe Donnelly of Indiana told the stories of Lance Corporal Cameron Babcock, Sergeant Joseph Ford, and Private Randy Stabnik, three fallen troops from his home district, in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, which he later posted to YouTube:



Congressman Denny Rehberg of Montana uploaded this tribute to his official YouTube channel:



Meanwhile, troops and government employees deployed around the world are sending virtual Memorial Day greetings to their friends and family back home via DIVIDS, an online system for sharing news, images, and video from military operations around the world.

Wishing you a safe Memorial Day weekend.