First observed in 1997, the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day is not widely kept, but Major League Baseball has done so for the past 26 years.
The National Moment of Remembrance was officially established by Congress in 2000.
“A National Moment of Remembrance and other commemorative events are needed to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble event that that day is intended to be,” Congress wrote at the time.
It is meant to inspire all Americas “where they happen to be” to voluntarily pause and observe a moment of silence at 3pm local time to remember the meaning behind Memorial Day.
While the moment is followed by fewer each year, some venues continue to uphold the tradition.
Major League Baseball first started observing the Moment of Remembrance at the very beginning, in 1997.
In modern times, the MLB continues to observe the moment by halting games at 3pm local time as well as a instituting a brief pause before the national anthem for games played before or after 3pm local time.
Additionally, in an homage to the memory of the fallen, on-field MLB personnel wear traditional red poppies on the left side of their jerseys.
The MLB has historically shown overwhelming support for troops and veterans, regularly partnering with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and the Folds of Honor foundation.
Most Companies Ignore the Moment
NASCAR also traditionally observes to National Moment of Remembrance during its major Memorial Day weekend events, though not always on the actual day.
This year, it will do so on Sunday, after Stage 2 of the Coke 600 according to a spokesperson.
Amtrak has also observed the moment in the past. Engineers sometimes blare the trains’ horns at 3pm local time, though a representative said there are no company-wide plans to do so this year.
Other than these few companies, the moment is rarely observed outside of cemeteries and hospitals catering to military veterans.
It is endearing to see one of America’s favorite pastimes upholding the tradition once more.
