The American Legion Post 795 of South Lake Tahoe is hosting a Memorial Day ceremony at 11am May 30 at the Happy Homestead Cemetery, 1261 Johnson Blvd, South Lake Tahoe.

After the ceremony, the public is invited to join Legion and Auxiliary members for refreshments at the American Legion Hall, 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Memorial Day honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

On Memorial Day weekend, members of the Auxiliary will be collecting donations for poppies, which have become a national symbol of Memorial Day. Poppy donation locations on May 27-28 include Raley’s and Safeway.

Happy Homestead is the final resting place to more than 560 veterans. Volunteers are encouraged to help place American flags at their grave sites starting at 9am May 27.