I was shocked to read yesterday that a recent poll showed fewer than 40 percent of Americans understand the significance of Memorial Day. I was pleased that in the Anacortes area alone, three separate ceremonies were held to honor those who have given their lives in military service to their country. Bud Lane, pictured here, was a flag bearer in the 11 a.m. ceremony held by VFW and American Legion members at Grand View Cemetery. For the record, Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday in May in most of the United States, in honor of the nation’s armed services personnel killed in wartime. The holiday, originally called Decoration Day, is traditionally marked by parades, memorial speeches and ceremonies, and the decoration of graves with flowers and flags, hence the original name. Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead.