In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday and the date was set as the last Monday in May each year. The holiday started as Decoration Day shortly after the Civil War, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, when people decorated the graves of the war dead with flowers. In 1871, the first large observance of Decoration Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery.

Today Washington’s the Avenue of Flags is on display at Elm Grove Cemetery until 6 p.m., with more than 425 flags flying. The project was started by Jones & Eden Funeral Home in 1981.

American Legion Post 29 is holding a Memorial Day service at the Washington High School today at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Dr. Noli Mendoza, a staff physician at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, who served in the Army, the Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard. Pastor Dave Watson will sing at the event. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.