Who among us remembers when Decoration Day was held on May 30 each year? If you recall that, you’re one of us – a senior citizen. Decoration Day started after the Civil War and was meant to commemorate all those, north and south, who died because of that war. The “Decoration” referred to flowers, plants, ribbons, flags and other decorations for graves.

By the 1900s, the name of the day gradually changed to Memorial Day (1882) and it stayed Memorial Day on May 30 until the late 1960s. In 1967, federal law officially changed the name and in 1968, Congress passed a law moving four holidays including Memorial Day to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The law took effect in 1971. We recall there were many who were unwilling to change but eventually, all 50 states complied.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, something we should remember, every day.

Speaking of veterans, Pine Tree Legal Assistance of Maine and Arkansas Legal Services Partnership have worked together to launch a new website,www.statesidelegal.org, to help veterans and military families with legal problems. It’s a national website with a focus on federal programs, for the time being. It is a user-friendly website with a couple of interesting and unusual aspects. You can enter general information about yourself that helps clarify your search, and the site has an “advocate view” that includes more technical articles for lawyers or advocates.

Also, did you know Maine has a Military Historical Society? It’s in Augusta and is open the first Sunday of every month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free. If you cannot make it then, other dates are available by appointment (call 626-4468). You can become a member for $10 a year and there is a regular newsletter. The MMHS museum has military artifacts from vehicles to notes, uniforms to firearms.

On another topic, the Lakes Region Senior Center, which welcomes all seniors in towns in the Lakes Region, will open for the summer on June 2 at White Rock Grange, 33 Wilson Road in Gorham. They plan to be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

The first week members are asked to help organize for the daily activities. Bingo is moving to Thursdays, and first day will be June 5 at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. will be craft Tuesday, Peggy and Avis will provide instruction for making a pillow of YoYo’s. Supplies will be provided. For more information, call Avis 892-0298.

Open house will be held on Monday, June 16, at 11:30 am. The public is invited to enjoy a luncheon of baked beans, hot dogs, salads, beverages and a June birthday cake. Suggested donation $5. The second and fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m., the weight support group and chair yoga meet. For more information, call Cheryl 892-9879 or Blanche 892-5604.