Woodrow Wilson, a segregationist and a son of Virginia, became the first president to send a wreath to the Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. All succeeding presidents have followed his example. Over time, various groups and individuals have asked that the custom cease. Anticipation grew with Barack Obama’s election. What would the first African-American president do?

Virginians of many backgrounds and beliefs joined together in remembrance yesterday at Memorial Day services honoring the nation’s military men and women. At the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, 500 seats quickly filled for a morning service. Hundreds of other people stood on the lawn as the sacrifices of past and present generations were commemorated with songs, prayers and the laying of wreaths.

The organizers of Innsbrook After Hours will keep the Memorial Day spirit chugging into the week. For tomorrow’s co-headlining show of Little Feat and Tea Leaf Green, all military personnel and those who work as first responders will be admitted to the concert for free. “It seems the proper thing to do,“ said Laurin Willis, one of the promoters of the Innsbrook series. “In this post-9/11 world, these are the people who have been the heroes the past seven years.“

More than 4,200 American military men and women have died since the March 2003 launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and more than 670 Americans have been killed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. On this day of remembrance, families find their own ways to memorialize their loved ones lost in war.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed today. POSTAL SERVICE—Closed today; no delivery.  STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed today.  RICHMOND AREA COUNTY, CITY OFFICES—Closed today. COLLEGES—VCU, VSU, VUU, J. Sargeant Reynolds, John Tyler and Randolph-Macon closed today. UR administrative offices closed today. Some MBA and Law School classes will be in session. All other UR classes will not be in session.

Today fresh flowers will beautify graves; small flags will flutter at tombstones. Buglers will play Taps. Communities will pray silently or aloud. All will salute the fallen. Although the annual commemoration officially recognizes those who served—those who died on the waters or in the air, who died in deserts, jungles, and green fields far from home—many will pause to think of other loved ones no longer present in the flesh perhaps but present indeed in the spirit, now and forever. Mourning implies happiness. If we had not known happiness with someone we would recognize little need to mourn him or her. Warm memories allow us to see with sweet perfection the smiles of departed darlings and dears. Mourning implies regret as well. We regret the gentle word not said, the healing touch not made.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed tomorrow. POSTAL SERVICE—Closed tomorrow; no delivery.  STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed tomorrow.  RICHMOND AREA COUNTY, CITY OFFICES—Closed tomorrow. COLLEGES—VCU, VSU, VUU, J. Sargeant Reynolds, John Tyler and Randolph-Macon closed tomorrow. UR administrative offices closed tomorrow. Some MBA and Law School classes will be in session. All other UR classes will not be in session.

EVENTS TOMORROW Memorial Day ceremony with carillon bell concert, color guard from Franklin Military Academy, guest speakers and vocal concert, 4 p.m. at The Carillon, Byrd Park. Festivities continue at 7:30 p.m. with music by The Virginians Barbershop Chorus in Dogwood Dell in the park. Free. 646-5944. Memorial Day observance: Speaker American Legion department commander Les Clevenger, color guard, memorial wreaths and ceremony, 10 a.m. at Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St. Free. 786-2060.

On Memorial Day weekend, Fort Lee’s soldiers fan out into the community to help recognize the contributions of those who have fallen in the line of service. The base itself is quiet—like other workplaces many there have the weekend off duty—but it’s traditional for soldiers to participate in community ceremonies and events outside the post, said Trinace Johnson, a base spokeswoman.

Jimmy Fiore lived in New York City with his widowed mother, two older brothers, and five sisters. The son of Italian immigrants, he was a good-looking kid, a little on the rowdy side, with a lopsided smile that most likely melted the hearts of the sternest nuns and the prettiest girls. Jimmy enlisted in the Army in 1942, at the age of 17. In a life cut far too short, he was killed during the airborne invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944—along with approximately 2,500 other young American men who died there that brutal day.

Memorial Day ceremony with carillon bell concert, color guard from Franklin Military Academy, guest speakers and vocal concert, 4 p.m. at The Carillon, Byrd Park, Richmond. Festivities continue at 7:30 p.m. with music by The Virginians Barbershop Chorus in Dogwood Dell in the park. Free. 646-5944. Memorial Day observance: Speaker American Legion department commander Les Clevenger, color guard, memorial wreaths and ceremony, 10 a.m. at Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St. Free. 786-2060.

On Susie Nash’s arm, daughter Tyler isforever a vibrant 3-year-old, shown before she was diagnosed with a fatal genetic disorder. Grady Nash has an image of their younger daughter on his back as she appeared shortly before her death at age 12. Laura Phillips chose an in-between moment of her sister’s life for permanent display on her shoulder blade.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed Monday. POSTAL SERVICE—Closed Monday; no delivery.  STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed Monday.  RICHMOND AREA COUNTY, CITY OFFICES—Closed Monday. COLLEGES—VCU, VSU, VUU, J. Sargeant Reynolds, John Tyler and Randolph-Macon closed Monday. UR administrative offices closed Monday. Some MBA and Law School classes will be in session. All other UR classes will not be in session.

SUNDAY, MAY 24 Crump Park/Meadow Farm (Shelter No. 1), 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Vegetarian Society of Richmond will host a potluck picnic at 4 p.m. Cost: $3 for nonmembers, free for members. Reservations and details: call (804) 344-4356, e-mail or visit http://www.vegetarianrichmond.org.  MONDAY, MAY 25 Hanover Veterans Memorial, at Hanover Wayside Park on U.S. 301. A 10 a.m. ceremony will feature honor guard, speaker and the laying of a ceremonial wreath. Details: call (804) 365-4695 or visit http://www.co.hanover.va.us/parksrec/vetmemorial.htm.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed Monday. POSTAL SERVICE—Closed Monday; no delivery.  STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES—Closed Monday.  RICHMOND AREA COUNTY, CITY OFFICES—Closed Monday. COLLEGES—VCU, VSU, VUU, J. Sargeant Reynolds, John Tyler and Randolph-Macon closed Monday. UR administrative offices closed Monday. Some MBA and Law School classes will be in session. All other UR classes will not be in session.