On the last Monday of May each year, Americans remember the men and women who have died while serving their country.
Locally, the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council will sponsor a Memorial Day service on May 29 at 11 a.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave.
In addition to remembering lives lost, many families gather to make memories in the time they have together. The federal holiday on Monday extends the weekend, making time for family reunions or other celebrations.
While June 21 is the official first day of summer, Memorial Day has become its unofficial start and a variety of events are planned to mark the day.
Remembering Our Heroes Memorial Motorcycle Ride
» Where: 6th Cavalry Museum, 6 Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
» When: 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. memorial service followed by ride at 11, Sunday, May 28
» Admission: $20 individuals, $30 couples
» For more information: 706-861-2860
Departing from the former Army Post, this ride travels through North Georgia to the Chattanooga National Cemetery, where riders will pay their respects before the ride concludes at Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson for food and door prizes.
"Operation Famous Salute"
» Where: Famous Dave's, 2122 Gunbarrel Road
» When: Business hours Friday, May 26, through close of business Memorial Day, May 29
» For more information: 423-954-3227
"Operation Famous Salute" is a letter-writing campaign taking place in all Tennessee Famous Dave's locations designed to deliver messages of encouragement to the nation's active military service members.
Diners are invited to write a thank-you or other positive note for delivery to any active service member or patient in a military hospital. The restaurant will provide all stationery and cover the cost of postage.
Great American Pastime
» Where: Lookouts vs. Montgomery Biscuits
» When: 2:15 p.m. Sunday, May 28
» Admission: $4 to $10
» For more information: 423-267-4849
It's Military Appreciation Night at the Lookouts, where the first 1,000 visitors will receive a logo baseball and there will be fireworks after the game.
Patriotic Pops on the Greenway
» Where: Cleveland Greenway, 775 Raider Drive, Cleveland, Tenn.
» When: 7 p.m. Monday, May 29
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-614-1737.
The Cleveland Pops Band, under the direction of Sarah Pearson, will play lively patriotic tunes and honor all law enforcement and veterans for their service.
Memorial Day Band Concert
» Where: Downtown Crossville, Tenn.
» When: 10:30 a.m. CST Monday, May 29
» Admission: Free
» For more information: cccband.net
The Cumberland County Community Band opens its 2017 performance schedule with a Memorial Day concert, paying tribute to those who died defending our country.
Square Meal Deal
» Where: Krystal restaurants
» When: 6 a.m. to midnight Monday, May 29
» For more information: www.facebook.com/Krystal
Krystal Co., famous for its square hamburgers, is offering a special Memorial Day value of 10 Original Krystals for $4.99 all day May 29.
Memorial Weekend Cookout
» Where: Mountain Creek Harley-Davidson, 1001 Market St., Dalton, Ga.
» When: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, May 27
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 706-370-7433
This party for Harley riders includes grilling out, live music, games and free beer.
Red, Wine & Blues
» Where: Cartecay Vineyards, 5704 Clear Creek Road, Ellijay, Ga.
» When: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 27
» Admission: $20 in advance, $25 at the gate
» For more information: 706-698-9463
Red wine, white wine and blues music will flow at the North Georgia vineyard. There will also be food and craft vendors at this festival.
Blues artists Travis Bowlin and Herb Aaron will start the music performances at 11 a.m., followed by Change Over at 1:15 p.m., Mandi Strachota at 2 and 5:30 p.m., Rae and the Royal Peacocks at 3 p.m., and Roger "Hurricane" Wilson and the Hurricane Boys from 6 to 9 p.m.
SoakYa Opens
» Where: Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, Ga.
» When: 11 a.m. -7 p.m. Saturday, May 27; 1-7 p.m. Sunday, May 28; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, May 29
» Admission: Variety of price packages available. Beginning June 5 through July 31, active and retired military personnel receive complimentary rides and slides at Lake Winnie and SoakYa every Monday. Proper ID required.
» For more information: 706-866-5681
Cool off in Lake Winnepesaukah's water park on the Soak-N-Slide. Tackle the floating bottle cap course in Coke Float Cove, raft down Crazy River or plunge down Zoom Flume.
Artillery Program
» Where: Point Park on Lookout Mountain
» When: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27
» Admission: $5 ages 16 and older into park, free admission to Cravens House
» For more information: 423-821-7786
This special Memorial Day programming includes artillery demonstrations on Saturday as well as ranger-guided tours of Point Park at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 27-28. Cravens House will be open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. both days.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a photo or small memento of a friend or loved one who died in the line of duty and these servicemen and women will be recognized during Saturday's programs.
Civil War History Talk
» Where: Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe,Ga.
» When: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 27
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 706-866-9241
Meet at the Visitor Center to caravan to the 9th Kentucky marker on the battlefield for 45-minute talk about Southerners who fought in the U.S. Army of the Cumberland. Bring a folding chair and bottle of water.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce