On Monday, May 25, 2026, the Coastal Georgia Historical Society is honored to host a commemoration of Memorial Day on the grounds of the World War II Home Front Museum. This day-long commemoration also invites visitors and the public to the Museum and the nearby, newly completed East Beach parking lot, accomplished through months of hard work by Glynn County. Throughout the day, veterans and active-duty members of the military will be admitted to the Museum free of charge. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society will also host a Field of Flags in the courtyard of the Historic St. Simons Coast Guard Station, honoring Glynn County servicemembers who have lost their lives in American wars since World War I, as well as the Merchant Marines killed in the U-boat attacks of April 8, 1942. All visitors to the World War II Home Front Museum on May 25 are also invited to complete and take home a craft representing a poppy, a Memorial Day symbol more than a century old.
After the Civil War claimed the lives of over 620,000 soldiers, Americans began honoring the soldiers who lost their lives in a tribute called Decoration Day. On this day, soldiers’ graves were adorned with flowers to honor their ultimate sacrifice. The tradition of decorating graves, now with a small American flag, continues today at many national cemeteries across the country.
During World War I, the first modern war, more than 130,000 Americans gave the ultimate sacrifice. As a result, Memorial Day, as it was now known, was transformed to honor those who died in all American wars.
For more information about the Society’s Memorial Day commemoration, please contact Caitlyn Price, Education and Programs Coordinator.