For most people, Memorial Day means nothing more than a three-day weekend to segue into summer. Eighty percent of Americans, by one count, admitted to knowing next to nothing about the holiday.
That's why Congress in 2000 passed The National Moment of Remembrance Act, as an added reminder that on Memorial Day we're asked to honor the men and women who died fighting the nation's wars. The Remembrance Act designates 3pm today, and every Memorial Day, as a moment of remembrance for fallen soldiers.
Come 3pm today, according to the Uniform Services Benefit Corporation, "Taps" will play at various events throughout the nation, trains will blow their whistles, cars will turn on their headlights, people will wave flags and some half-million Major League Baseball fans will be asked to pause for a moment of silence.
Flags are flying at half mast at government agencies, by order of the president, while families and friends of military men and women who died in service place flags and flowers on their graves.
Also today, a Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 9am at the Veterans Memorial Flag Plaza, 455 E. Calaveras Blvd., in Milpitas.
At 10:45am in San Jose, Mayor Sam Liccardo will speak at the 97th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Meanwhile, most government offices are closed in observance of the holiday. Here's a list of closures from the city of San Jose:
Customer Contact Center: The City's Customer Contact Center will be closed on this City-observed holiday. An answering service will provide information and assistance to callers during the holiday. Non-emergency requests requiring follow-up will be routed to the proper department and handled during open business hours.
Library Schedule: All City libraries will be closed and will resume regular hours on Tuesday, May 26.
Community Centers: Residents should check with their local community center for hours of operation during the holidays. Community Center information is available at www.sanjoseca.gov/prns or in the Citywide Activity Guide.
Garbage and Recycling pickup will occur as normal on Monday, May 25.
Garbage Bills or New Accounts: If you have billing questions or need to transfer or begin a new garbage service account, call the City's Customer Contact Center at (408) 535-3500 when the offices reopen on Tuesday, May 26. A drop box located at the 6th Street and Santa Clara Street entrance of City Hall, is available for bill payment deposits during the closure.
