East Hartford, CT (PRWEB) May 15, 2013

While many individuals associate Memorial Day with the start to the summer travel season or as a way to catch major retail sales and discounts, it’s important to remember Memorial Day is an honorable day of remembrance for the fallen during the Civil War. Memorial Day previously known as Decoration Day, was first observed on May 30, 1868 in order to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared that the 30th of May, 1868, was designated for the purpose of visiting and decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and who are now resting in almost every city in the country.

The first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield spoke at Arlington National Cemetery where 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery after the Civil War. In 1967 President Lyndon Johnson signed the legislation officially renaming Decoration Day to Memorial Day. Then, in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed by congress moving several holidays from their original dates to a Monday to give federal employees a three-day weekend. This Act took effect on January 1, 1971 and so Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday in the month of May.

It is now a day to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom. The holiday is an opportunity to stop and give thanks for the many that have died protecting that freedom. However individuals decide to celebrate the long weekend, it is important to take a moment to reflect on what the day truly means and to remember those who have passed in active military.

If individuals are in fact planning to celebrate Memorial Day by traveling, Travel Insured International, a leading privately owned travel insurance provider urges travelers to invest in the insurance policy which suits them best before embarking on a weekend getaway. Travel Insured’s policies can offer coverage for a great number of disruptions, emergencies, and unexpected costs including trip interruption, missed connection, lost or stolen luggage, damaged personal items, pre-paid travel expenses, rebooking, sudden illness, and medical evacuation.

About Travel Insured:
Travel Insured International is one of the largest privately held travel protection companies in the US, and preferred supplier to over 5,000 travel agents, travel consortiums and wholesalers in the US and abroad. As a former division of the Travelers up until 1994, and originator of travel insurance in the US, you can say that the “travel protection” blood lines run deep. Travel Insured International’s customer centric claims operation has significant expertise in both domestic and international claims administration.

Travel Insured International
52-S Oakland Ave.
E. Hartford, CT 06128-056