Memorial Day 2009 ... NASCAR stopped race to honor America's heroes

At 3:00 pm NASCAR, racing on Memorial Day for the first time in 50 years caused when a rain delay postponed the race, paused to remember America's heroes during the national moment of silence.

Cars stopped on the track ... spectators were silent ... America's heroes were remembered.

Memorial Day 2009 ... Americans remember....

Memorial Day 2009 ...Small town honors as Food Lion pauses for moment of silence

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is Memorial Day and the store will shut down for the next 60 seconds as we observe a moment of silence in honor of America's fallen heroes."

Manager Dan Pritchett's voice came over the intercom at Staunton's Food Lion grocery store located on Coalter Street as he addressed employees and customers. Perhaps this is one of the things I love most about living in a small town.

It was 3:00 pm ... time for a national moment of silence. The cashiers stopped checking out customers ... the Muzak was shut off ... customers paused in the aisles ... employees ceased working ... the store was essentially shut down ... and for the next 60 seconds everyone observed a moment of silence for America.

Thank you, Mr. Pritchett.

Memorial Day ... 3 pm observation to honor our fallen heroes

Memorial Day ... Monday

3:00 pm

A minute of silence to honor

America's fallen heroes.

Memorial Day Monday ... moment of silence nationwide at 3 pm

A nationwide moment of silence to honor and remember America's fallen heroes will be observed Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, at 3:00 pm local time. The freedoms we take for granted each day are reminders of their ultimate sacrifice and our ongoing debt to them.

As reported by the White House:

"The agony of a fallen soldier's mother is as old as war. One such mother is Sallie Stubenhofer. Her son, Mark, was killed by a sniper in Iraq. He left three young children, including a daughter who was born four months after his return to active duty. Mark and his wife named their baby Hope, which signified what he wanted to offer his children and all children.

"The Moment of Remembrance and our year-long, life-long determination to 'live honoring America's fallen' are in memory of Army Capt. Mark Stubenhofer and all those brave members of our military who have died in the service of our nation. We invite all Americans to pause in their Memorial Day activities at 3:00 local time to honor those who live in our history, reside in our hearts, and rest forever in the arms of God."

Memorial Day ... honoring those who sacrifice and remembering those who serve.