Memorial Day Weekend 2019, sacred places around Birmingham, including Alabama National Cemetery (PHOTOS)

Alabama National Cemetery
Memorial Day Weekend 2019 Alabama National Cemetery. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

In honor of our fellow citizens who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, this Memorial Day weekend, Bham Now is publishing photos from the Alabama National Cemetery, Alabama Veterans Memorial Park, Elmwood Cemetery and Veterans Park in Hoover.

Elmwood Cemetery Garden of Honor
Elmwood Cemetery Garden of Honor on Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Below, we have created a photo gallery commemorating these sacred places in our community. We have also included an excerpt from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Memorial Day quotes from Presidents George H. W. Bush and Barrack Obama, so that we may remember and be inspired by the brave men and women who fought for our great nation and freedom.

Events on Memorial Day

Memorial Day Weekend Alabama National Cemetery
Alabama National Cemetery in Shelby County on Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

There will be a Memorial Day Observance on May 27, 9:00AM at the Alabama National Cemetery

American Village will be holding special events on Monday, May 27th. Get the details –  HERE. Admission is Free for the day.

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Replica of Mount Vernon at American Village. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.

President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address 1863

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Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us  that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain  that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Alabama National Cemetery
Memorial Day weekend 2019 at the Alabama National Cemetery. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

President George H.W. Bush, Memorial Day 1992

Garden of Heroes Elmwood Cemetery
Elmwood Cemetery Garden of Heroes. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

“On this day, we must tell the stories of those who fought and died in freedom’s cause. We must tell their stories because those who’ve lost loved ones need to know that a grateful Nation will always remember. We must tell their stories so that our children and grandchildren will understand what our lives might have been like had it not been for their sacrifice.”

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Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.

President Barack Obama, Memorial Day 2015

Memorial Day 2019
Alabama National Cemetery in Shelby County on Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

“For 147 years, our nation has set aside this day to pay solemn tribute to patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country that we love. And while the nature of war has changed over that time, the values that drive our brave men and women in uniform remain constant: Honor, courage, selflessness.”

Veterans Park Hoover
Entrance to the Alabama National Cemetery
Memorial Day 2017 Alabama
Veterans Park in Hoover
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Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.
Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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