As Americans observe Memorial Day 2025, Dallas joins the nation in honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States.

Unlike Veterans Day, which celebrates all who served, Memorial Day is reserved for those who never returned home — those who paid the ultimate price so others could live free.

The Origins of Remembrance

First observed after the Civil War as Decoration Day, the holiday was created to honor Union soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. Over time, it expanded to include fallen service members from all American wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday, to be observed on the last Monday in May.

Today, the day is marked with parades, flag displays, cemetery visits, and memorial ceremonies, along with two national observances:

A Texas Landmark of Honor

In North Texas, that spirit of remembrance is embodied at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, established in 2000 as the sixth national cemetery in Texas and the 118th in the national system.

The cemetery spans 638 acres, with 152 acres developed to date, offering more than 85,778 casketed burial sites and 31,918 niches for cremated remains. When fully developed, it will hold up to 280,000 veterans and eligible family members.

Its Memorial Walkway features more than 50 monuments, many commemorating campaigns and divisions from the 20th century. Each Memorial Day, volunteers place flags at every grave — a powerful visual reminder of the sacrifice made by so many.

A Lone Star State of Service

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Texas is home to more than 1.53 million veterans, one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Over 323,000 of those veterans reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Texas also leads the nation in active-duty military installations, reinforcing its deeply rooted connection to military service. From the beaches of Normandy to the streets of Baghdad, Texans have fought — and fallen — in every major U.S. conflict.

Memorial Day Ceremony at DFW National Cemetery

This Memorial Day, Dallas-area residents can attend the official Memorial Day Ceremony at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, scheduled for Monday, May 26, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating and parking.

This solemn observance is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ nationwide effort to ensure that America never forgets those who gave all.

More Than a Day Off

The phrase “All gave some, but some gave all.” is more than a slogan — it’s a national creed. It reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured by those who gave up their tomorrows.

So whether it’s a moment of silence, a visit to a local cemetery, or simply teaching the next generation what this day truly means — let Dallas remember rightly.