Advertisement

Photo gallery: Nation pays respects to America's war dead on Memorial Day

 
Published May 29, 2017

At Memorial Day ceremonies in Tampa Bay area and around the country, Americans paid tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

Locally, thousands braved the sweltering heat at the Bay Pines National Cemetery to attend one of the largest such events in the state. Elsewhere in the area, there was a ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell, a parade in Sarasota and a sunset ceremony in Largo.

The holiday was first created May 5, 1868 as Decoration Day honoring the Civil War dead, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, celebrated on the last Monday in May.

(Tim Isbell /The Sun Herald via AP

Despite the weather, Shirley Paxson took time to visit the grave of her husband, Frederick Paxson, for Memorial Day at Biloxi National Cemetery, Monday, May 29, 2017. Frederick Paxson was Marine and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

(Tim Isbell /The Sun Herald via AP

Despite the weather, Shirley Paxson took time to visit the grave of her husband, Frederick Paxson, for Memorial Day at Biloxi National Cemetery, Monday, May 29, 2017. Frederick Paxson was Marine and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Tommy Metthe/The Abilene Reporter-News via AP

Mark Baidas holds a flag during the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2017, at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, in Abilene, Texas.

Tommy Metthe/The Abilene Reporter-News via AP

Mark Baidas holds a flag during the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2017, at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, in Abilene, Texas.

Olivier Douliery - Pool/Getty Images

President Donald Trump participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia.

Olivier Douliery - Pool/Getty Images

President Donald Trump participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia.

HOWARD ALTMAN | Times

Rows of flags were placed near gravesites for Memorial Day to honor those buried at Bay Pines National Cemetery.

HOWARD ALTMAN | Times

Rows of flags were placed near gravesites for Memorial Day to honor those buried at Bay Pines National Cemetery.

HOWARD ALTMAN | Times

Members of the Gibbs High School JROTC perform a 21-gun salute at the 2017 Memorial Day ceremony at the Bay Pines National Cemetery.

HOWARD ALTMAN | Times

Members of the Gibbs High School JROTC perform a 21-gun salute at the 2017 Memorial Day ceremony at the Bay Pines National Cemetery.

HOWARD ALTMAN | Times

A veteran salutes as the Clearwater High School JROTC presents the colors at the 2017 Bay Pines National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

HOWARD ALTMAN | Times

A veteran salutes as the Clearwater High School JROTC presents the colors at the 2017 Bay Pines National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony.

Al Drago/The New York Times

Visitors pay their respects on Memorial Day at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 29, 2017.

Al Drago/The New York Times

Visitors pay their respects on Memorial Day at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 29, 2017.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster speaks at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017. The Florida National Cemetery Joint Veterans Committee sponsored its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Florida National Cemetery

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster speaks at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017. The Florida National Cemetery Joint Veterans Committee sponsored its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Florida National Cemetery

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

Michael James of Ocala salutes during a rifle salute at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

Michael James of Ocala salutes during a rifle salute at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

Arthur Springer of Tampa salutes during a rifle salute at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

Arthur Springer of Tampa salutes during a rifle salute at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

Paula Luckey (center left) and Rose Waruinge embrace at the gravesite of Kevin Gachau Waruinge at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017. Waruinge served as a marine. Both of their sons died a year apart.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

Paula Luckey (center left) and Rose Waruinge embrace at the gravesite of Kevin Gachau Waruinge at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017. Waruinge served as a marine. Both of their sons died a year apart.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

People visit gravesites at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017.

CHARLIE KAIJO | Times

People visit gravesites at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. on Monday, May 29, 2017.