2014 Memorial Day Media Summary

Catholic Cemetery Conference Announces 2nd Annual National Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes This national program, developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, will honor those men and women who died while serving in the armed forces, as well as recognize both our active military and military veterans who have served our country.

For many, Memorial Day means warm weather, barbecues and the beach. However, Memorial Day has the word memorial in it for a reason. For the second annual year, thousands of Catholic Cemeteries across the United States will participate in the national celebration,"Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes." This national program, developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, will honor those men and women who died while serving in the armed forces, as well as recognize both our active military and military veterans who have served our country.

Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes, invites active military and veterans to participate in Memorial Day Mass at cemeteries across the United States, as well as to join in a host of other cemetery-related activities throughout the weekend.

We were very encouraged by the overwhelming response to last years program as more than 1,000 cemeteries across the country participated, said Carol Giambalvo, President, Catholic Cemetery Conference. It is an honor to be part of a national program that acknowledges the commitment each soldier has made to our Country as part of a long, inspiring history of self-giving, service, and the risk of the ultimate sacrifice.

Participating cemeteries will invite active military and veterans to participate in Memorial Day Mass, and other cemetery-related activities throughout the weekend, including Wreath Laying Ceremonies, Tribute Boards and Military Choirs, among others. The Catholic War Veterans of America and the Knights of Columbus are also expected to participate in this national celebration.

The Catholic Cemetery Conference program, Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes, is an opportunity for Catholics throughout the United States to unite in a meaningful way to remember and pray for those loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice, and also to recognize and involve our veterans, and our active military who continue to serve our country The Catholic Cemetery Conference (CCC) is an association established in 1949 consisting of Catholic Cemeteries from Archdioceses and Dioceses located primarily the U.S. and Canada, but also with members in Australia, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Catholic Cemetery Conference is a faith network committed to cemetery advocacy and education. The association provides a central office for facilitating communication, planning educational venues, and disseminating information to promote high standards of cemetery management and operation to its 1100 cemetery and supplier members, thereby fostering the religious, charitable and educational interests of Catholic cemeteries and the people they serve.