With flags at half mast, today is a day of remembrance for the American military men and women who died while in the service of their country.

Memorial Day is commemorated the last Monday of May each year. The day is used to visit the fallen in their resting places, where possible, around the country. Graves are adorned with flowers and markers ensuring those who have passed and their sacrifice is not forgotten.

Originally called Decoration Day, what is now Memorial Day was first observed May 30, 1868. to honor the fallen Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. The National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams with the idea of laying flowers on the graves of the fallen, both Union and Confederate.

According to the Richmond-Times Dispatch, the first Civil War grave to be decorated with flowers was John Quincy Marr who died June 1, 1861, during the Battle of Fairfax Courthouse in Virginia. His grave was showered with flowers June 3, 1861. Other southern states followed during the War Between the States. In 1868 some of the southern states added Confederate to the memorial name as related in G.I. Combat (1952) 87 post.

By 1890, all of the Union states were recognizing the day and in 1968, Congress moved its observance to the final Monday in May.

Four Color honors the fallen with Unknown Soldier 216 and the cover story Taps at Arlington.

The Unknown Soldier was first introduced in Our Army at War (1952) 168. Appropriately enough, the character is given his name based on The Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

Arlington National Cemetery was Acquired by the federal government following a tax dispute with Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s family. It was established May 13, 1864, and, as of this writing, the final resting place for over 400,000 persons. It is comprised of 639 acres.

Unknown Soldier was created by comic book veteran Joe Kubert and Robert Kanigher. His first appearance was Our Army at War (1952) 168 in 1966.

He was granted his own feature in Star Spangled War Stories beginning in issue 151 through 204. The title changed to The Unknown Soldier with issue 205 lasting to the final issue 268 in 1982.

The decorated veteran returned before the end of the decade in a,12-issue mini simply titled The Unknown Soldier spanning 1988 to 1989.

Garth Ennis revived him for another four issues in 1997.

The Unknown Soldier took shelter under the Vertigo imprint for 25 issues before low sales retired him a final time.

Thank you to all who served and take time to remember those who  never came home.

Two stories for the “Immortal GI” this issue.

The first, No God in St. Just, is more racially driven. The Unknown Soldier must convince African-American soldiers to kill Nazis.

Christmas Dinner is Janus Mitchell and Tenny Henson’s holiday offering. The title says it all.

Unknown Soldier (1977) 237

The Unknown Soldier takes his name from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, VA. The character was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, debuting in Our Army at War 168.

It would be another four years before he would receive his own book, Star Spangled War Stories in 1970. Starting with issue 151 and running through issue 204 when the book was retitled The Unknown Solider. The comic would last until October 1982 ending with issue 268.

The Unknown Soldier would return in 1988 with a 12-issue maxi-series as done by Jim Owsley and Phil Gascoine. He reupped in 1997 with Garth Ennis calling the shots and earned a final – as of this writing – appearance as a back up to G.I. Combat in 2012.

Timing publication for Memorial Day 2011, Justice Society of America issue 50 is a two-fold celebration.

Beginning with the June cover date, the issue remembers those who have fallen in service to their country. Secondly, it pays homage to All-Star Comics (1940) issue 27.

Hitting newsstands for Winter 1945, All-Star’s “A Place in This World” is prophetic in its title. Having just closed the book on World War II, America was ready to take its place among the world powers.

Sixty-six years later the former National Periodicals has become DC Comics, America has taken a spot on the world stage and the heroes who made both publisher and nation great still exist.

In the first story, “Cornerstone,” Modern Age heroes reveal how their Golden Age forefathers influenced them. “Infinitum” showcases Robin and Huntress. Story three, “Truth & Justice,” harkens back to McCarthy-era America and the trials a nation faced in fear.

Finally, “Inaugural” focuses on the first family of speed with Jay Garrick and Jesse Quick.

Also included in the over-sized edition is a “special sneak preview” of Batman: Arkham City.

Memorial Day is observed the last Monday of May to remember those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The federal holiday was previously observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

Decorating soldier’s graves was first recorded in 1861 in Warrenton, VA. The following year it was noted Confederate soldiers were honored in the same way by the women of Savannah, GA. A cemetery dedication was held in 1863 in Gettysburg, PA.

In 1868 the southern tradition was adopted as a nationwide observance called Dedication Day. The inaugural northern Memorial Day was held May 30 that same year.