Memorial Day

AFA Air Commandos Lunch Recap – Maj. Lee Cohen Shares His Honor Flight Experience

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On Wednesday, June 18, the Palm Springs Chapter of the Air Force Association hosted Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.) as our featured speaker at our Air Commandos Luncheon at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Maj. Cohen shared stories from his recent journey with Honor Flight Southland Mission 18, a trip to Washington, D.C., with fellow veterans. The Honor Flight experience included visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery—culminating in an emotional “Welcome Home” reception at LAX.

For Maj. Cohen, a veteran of 119½ combat missions in Vietnam, this trip served as both tribute and healing. For those in attendance, his presentation offered insight into what the Honor Flight means to veterans.

One of the touching moments shared was how each veteran received a bag filled with handmade cards and letters from local schoolchildren—many expressing gratitude, drawing American flags, and writing simple but powerful messages like “Thank you for your service.”

About Honor Flight
The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that honors America’s veterans by providing free trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. The program focuses on veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Honor Flight Southland, which coordinated Maj. Cohen’s flight, serves veterans from across Southern California and relies on volunteers and donations to make each mission possible. From airport send-offs to school letters, the experience is designed to give these veterans the tribute they never received.

Thank you to Maj. Lee Cohen for sharing this journey and for his decades of service to the United States Air Force.

For more information or to get involved, visit:
https://www.honorflightsouthland.org

Before It Was Memorial Day: A Look Back at Decoration Day

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This hand-tinted image, originally published by White Smith & Co. in the late 19th century, recalls the earliest days of what we now call Memorial Day — then known as Decoration Day.

Decoration Day began in the aftermath of the Civil War, when communities across the country began honoring fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags. The practice was widespread but unofficial until May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued an order formally establishing the day as a time to remember those who had died in service to the Union.

The artwork seen here first appeared as a black-and-white etching in the 1870s and was later colorized for use as back-cover advertising on sheet music. It reflects how deeply the observance had become part of American life — not just as a military tradition, but as a cultural ritual of remembrance.

Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971, expanding its scope to honor all Americans who have died in military service. But its roots remain firmly planted in scenes like this — quiet moments in cemeteries, where families gathered not to celebrate, but to remember.

As we reflect this Memorial Day, let’s take a moment to look back — not just at wars and battles, but at the origins of remembrance itself.

Memorial Day 2023

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Memorial Day is a time of remembrance. As we gather with friends and family, it’s important to reflect on the sacrifices of all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy. – United States Air Force 2023

Memorial Day Air Fair And Flower Drop

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Do not miss Memorial Day at the Palm Springs Air Museum. We will be there. Stop by our tables and learn more about AFA Palm Springs. Thanks!

This Memorial Day, the Museum will honor gold star families and the 50th anniversary of the release of the Vietnam War POWs with a missing-man formation fly-by, and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a vintage warbird!

🚨 Offsite parking and shuttle service will be available!

🛩️ Flight Exhibitions all day long

🛩️ Warbird Rides!

🛩️Kids’ Activities

🛩️ Heatwave Jazz Band

🛩️ Food Vendors

For tickets visit https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/memorial-day-flower-drop/