Memorial Day is about more than hot dogs on the grill and summer travel on the mind, said Andrew Grieb, a disabled Air Force veteran and the organizer of Denver’s downtown parade.
But when he thinks about the dwindling crowds along the parade route, he wonders if Americans have lost the holiday’s true meaning.
“There’s a growing apathy or misunderstanding of what Memorial Day is all about,” he said.
“For a lot of people it’s about cooking out or going camping or just enjoying the day off, but it’s a very important day to be respected, because it honors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms and the way of life we enjoy today.”
Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May since 1868. First called Decoration Day, participants were urged to visit the graves of Civil War soldiers and “decorate” them with flowers and flags.
After World War I, observances grew to include all American soldiers killed in wars. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971.
The holiday is different from Veterans Day, which celebrates all soldiers, living and dead.
Memorial Day also kicks off the summer travel season, which this year could prove fruitful for Colorado’s tourism industry, according to AAA Colorado.
Gas prices across the state averaged $2.70 a gallon for regular unleaded Thursday, which many analysts think could be the summer peak in price, said the motor club’s spokeswoman, Wave Dreher.
“Last year, the economy was in a mess and a lot of people couldn’t see going on vacation when they didn’t know if they were going to have a job,” she said. “The year before, gas prices were at $4 a gallon.
“This summer, I think there’s a lot of pent-up demand, a lot of people saying, ‘You know, we haven’t been on a good vacation in a while.’ “
This year is expected to mark the first nationwide increase in Memorial Day travel since 2005, according to AAA. The organization expects a 7.6 percent increase in the Rocky Mountain region this Memorial Day, compared with last year.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
Holiday weekend schedule
Memorial Day Parade
Denver’s parade starts at 10 a.m. today downtown near Civic Center. Retired and active service members will march from Civic Center at Bannock Street, along 14th Street to Court Place, to 15th and Welton streets, to West 17th Street and south on Broadway back to 14th.
The parade is followed by the 11th annual Veterans Memorial Day Tribute about 11:30 a.m. at the Colorado Veterans Monument across Lincoln Street from the Capitol.
Events planned Monday
Memorial Day events honoring those who died in battle are planned across Colorado, including parades, fireworks, military flyovers, sky divers, re-enactments, music and more. Among the celebrations Monday:
• Fort Logan National Cemetery at 3698 Sheridan Blvd. will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m., with the families of many of the those buried there, veterans, elected leaders and representatives from each branch of the armed services. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will speak.
• At Tennessee Pass north of Leadville, World War II veterans of the famed 10th Mountain Division will gather at 11 a.m. at the 10th Mountain Division Memorial.
• In Colorado Springs, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, events will include the 10th U.S. Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers commemorating service in the Spanish-American War. The event also will include Civil War re-enactors.
For a complete list of events, visit
Memorial Day closures
Monday is the official observance of Memorial Day.
Banks: Closed.
Schools: Closed statewide.
City, county and state offices: Closed.
Courts: U.S. District Court for the state of Colorado will be closed (as will be the Colorado Supreme Court, and state and federal courts statewide).
RTD: All buses and light rail run on a Sunday/holiday schedule. Get details at 303-299-6000 or .
Trash pickup: Trash collection and recycling services in Denver will operate on a one-day-delayed holiday schedule.
Parking meters in Denver: Free
Mail: No delivery.
