Alaska reflects on Memorial Day

A musician plays taps to conclude the Memorial Day observance at Evergreen Cemetery in 2016. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

U.S. and Alaska flags were flying at half-staff today until noon in recognition of Memorial Day.

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The holiday recognizes people who have died in military service.

In a White House proclamation, President Donald Trump designated 11 a.m. local time to unite in prayer for permanent peace and asked all Americans to observe a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.

The proclamation notes this year is the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I, in which more than 4.7 million Americans served and more than 100,000 died.

Gov. Bill Walker urged Alaskans not to forget the men and women who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the nation.

Jeremy Hsieh is the deputy managing editor of the KTOO newsroom in Juneau. He’s a podcast fiend who’s worked in journalism since high school as a reporter, editor and television producer. He ran Gavel Alaska for 360 North from 2011 to 2016, and is big on experimenting with novel tools and mediums (including the occasional animated gif) to tell stories and demystify the news. Jeremy’s an East Coast transplant who moved to Juneau in 2008.

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