Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, and the first official observance was held on May 30,1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
In Franklin Lakes, the membership of VFW Post 5702 has upheld this tradition by decorating the graves of veterans as part of their Memorial Day observance for many years. According to Post Commander Steve Vreeland: “We have a group of our members that places flags on the graves of veterans in Christ the King Cemetery the Friday before Memorial Day. Flags are placed,” he continued, “on all the graves that have headstones indicating that the person had served in the military. It takes us an hour or two to decorate over 500 graves, and we are very proud to do so.”
This year, members of the post made a special effort to decorate the graves of veterans buried at two small cemeteries located in the Franklin Lakes as well.
As part of their Memorial Day observance, the Post 5702 Color Guard will lead the Franklin Lakes Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30, 2011. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the post immediately following the Parade. Post 5702 Color Guard will also be marching in the Oakland Parade on Sunday at 1pm and participating in the ceremony that follows the Parade. On Monday following the Franklin Lakes Parade they will move on to Wyckoff to march in that parade as well.