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Memorial Day 2026 – We Remember. We Pause. 3:00pm TODAY – John A. Cianci 🇺🇸

May 25, 2026/John Cianci
by John A. Cianci, RI News Today Veterans Writer, Veteran, US Army
At nine on Sunday, a small group of veterans, Hank Suffolete, George Hird and Ron Lapiere, Jim Collins, and Andrew Smith participated in raising the flagpole and hanging the flag at Landing Zone Bronco (LZ Bronco) in front of the LZ Bronco Veteran and First Responders Community Resource Center. Several of the wives and families attended the flag raising.
 
“We wanted to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice by lowering the flag to half mast in the early morning hours on Memorial Day,” said John A Cianci, State Commander, Italian American War Veterans of the US, and one of the veterans who assisted in preparing the ground for the flagpole, and who has been volunteering in preparing LZ Bronco for a grand opening in mid-June 2026. (on Thursday’s veterans article, there will be more information on LZ Bronco Veteran and First Responder Community Resource Center in Harrisville RI).
 
The 25-foot flagpole demonstrates the pride, loyalty, and attention to detail that a team of veterans and volunteers has spent countless hours on to convert a restaurant into a destination for Rhode Island veterans and first responders.  LZ Bronco will be a location where veterans and first responders can enjoy the camaraderie of each other over a cup of coffee and possibly a free meal.
 
The veterans wanted the U.S. flag to be displayed on Memorial Day 2026 to ensure that thousands of passing motorists on Route 102 would notice the newly erected flagpole and flag.
 
Flying the flag on Memorial Day isn’t just a tradition; it’s a meaningful tribute. The stars and stripes serve as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice Memorial Day represents.
 
The rain did not deter the veterans from displaying the flags.

Throughout the United States, most Americans will be grilling with friends, attending parades, lounging by the lake, and soaking in the sunshine. But behind the long weekend lies a solemn purpose: honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

RULES FOR DISPLAYING THE U.S Flag on Memorial Day

Did you know? 

2,340 Rhode Islanders lost their lives during WWII

209  Rhode Islanders lost their lives during the Vietnam War

1 Rhode Islander was killed during the buildup and initial deployment phase (Operation Desert Shield) of the Persian Gulf

20 service members from Rhode Island died serving in the Global War on Terror. Of these fatalities, 12 were connected to the war in Iraq and 8 to the war in Afghanistan

Flying The Flag On Memorial Day

Before you go to hang Old Glory, you should know that there are specific directives for Memorial Day and rules on flying the American flag at half-staff.

The flag etiquette on Memorial Day is more specific than other days of honor.

At sunrise, the flag is raised briskly to full staff.

Then, after sunrise, the flag is lowered to half staff and remains in that position until noon. This period of half staff serves as a visible sign of mourning and remembrance.

At noon, in a symbolic shift from mourning to the reaffirmation of patriotism, the flag is raised back to full staff for the remainder of the day. In instances where it is not possible to display the flag at half-staff, proper etiquette requires that you attach a black mourning ribbon to the flag. This small but significant detail acknowledges the day in a different way because half-staffing cannot be achieved.

3:00PM National Moment of Remembrance TODAY

The “3:00 pause” refers to the National Moment of Remembrance. By U.S. law, Americans are encouraged to pause wherever they are at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day to reflect for one minute and honor those who died serving the country.
How to Observe It
  • Stop for 60 Seconds: Wherever you are, observe a brief moment of silence or reflection.
  • On the Road: If you are driving, turn on your vehicle’s headlights for one minute to show solidarity.
  • Participate: Join the live Taps Across America tribute from your own front yard

___

John A. Cianci is a Veteran Service Officer. Retired, U.S. Army MSgt., Persian Gulf War and Iraq War combat theater.

Cianci, a combat disabled Veteran, served in Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards include Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct, and others.

Cianci belongs to numerous veterans organizations – Italian American War Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, and many more organizations. He is an active volunteer assisting veterans to navigate federal and state benefits they have earned. He is Department of Rhode Island Department Commander Italian American War Veterans and Veteran Service Officer.

He is a graduate of Roger Williams University (BS Finance), UCONN business school* (Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans), Solar Energy International Residential, Commercial and Battery Based Photovoltaic Systems certificate programs, numerous certificates from the Department of Defense renewable energy programs, including graduate of the Solar Ready Vets Program.

John’s column, RI Veterans: Did you know? appears in RINewsToday every Thursday:  https://rinewstoday.com/john-a-cianci/

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