Memorial Day is also meant to honour those service men and women who have died in military service to the United States. Memorial Day services will be held at the Presidio, at the Main Parade Ground and the San Francisco National Cemetary on Monday starting at 10:30am. Sadly, with more than 1,600 US casualties so far in the Iraq War there are ever increasing numbers of service people to memorialize.

We'll also take this time to bring to your attention two veteran-related organizations you might find interesting. First, is the Military, Veterans & Patriotic Service Organizations of America. This is like clearinghouse of military service organizations. SFist particularly likes organizations that provide scholarships to the children of service members.

Second, is the Veterans Speakers Alliance. The VSA provides speakers to schools and other community groups. The speakers are veterans of all kinds who speak candidly about what war is really like and the true human cost of waging it.