Memorial Day Gas: 10 Percent Pricier This Year

Bush Stresses Military Readiness

Plan to pay more at the pump if your Memorial Day weekend plans involve driving.

Gas Pump
PLANNING A TRIP?
ComputerCalculate: How Much Will Your Trip Cost?
SurveySurvey: High Gas Prices Change What You Want?
CURRENT GAS PRICES
WebsiteAAA: Average Prices In Major Municipal Areas
WebsiteGasBuddy.com: Compare Prices In Your Area
Note: Prices can change rapidly
WebsiteU.S. Energy Dept.: Average Price By Region
RELATED LINKS
VideoVideo: Gas Prices: Why They're So High
From Edmunds.com:
StoryWhere Gas Comes From
WebsitePrimer On The Gas Market
Website30 Gas Saving Tips
Gas prices have gone up an average of 20 cents a gallon over the past six weeks. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded is now $1.69. That's a 10 percent increase from last year.

And the American Automobile Association says that the increases in some parts of the country have been even worse. In Michigan pump prices shot up more than 12 cents a gallon in just two days this week.

An industry observer sees no sign of relief. Peter Beutel says $2-per-gallon gas will likely become a reality everywhere this summer.

Bush Stresses Military Readiness

President Bush opens the Memorial Day weekend Friday with a speech on military morale and readiness.

Aides said that his address to graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy will praise those who serve in the military and outline the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world.

REMEMBERING THOSE WHO DIED FOR THE U.S.
National observances planned May 28, 2001 (times Eastern):
  • Arlington, Va. 10:45 a.m.: President Bush to lay wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns. Bush, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to speak.
  • New York 11:20 a.m.: Defense Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz to speak, lay wreaths at Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum,
  • Vietnam Memorial Washington, 1 p.m.: Ceremony honoring the 58,226 who died in Vietnam. Six new names added to Memorial. Keynote speaker: Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
  • Arlington, Va. 3 p.m.: Moment of Remembrance; bugler plays Taps.
    StoryHoliday's Origin
    E-mail.com/services/piglet/index.cfm?MEMO" onClick="return localizeURL(this);">Send An E-Card
    • WEB SITES
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • U.S. Memorial Day
  • History Channel
  • Find-A-Grave
    • It's expected that Bush will also be renewing his pledge to improve the quality of life for those in uniform. But aides say that the president is unlikely to give new insight into the military overhaul that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is studying. Rumsfeld is weighing America's 21st-century needs in everything from the missions of U.S. divisions, to the number and power of American missiles, planes and warships.

    From the academy, Bush heads to Camp David, where he'll stay until Sunday. On Memorial Day, he's got events planned at the White House, Arlington National Cemetery and Mesa, Ariz.

    The History Behind The Holiday

    The original idea for Memorial Day came in 1865, when Henry C. Wells, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, N.Y., suggested that honor should be shown to those killed in the Civil War by decorating their graves.

    According to the U.S. Memorial Day Web site, townspeople adopted the idea and made wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave.

    The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, which established "Decoration Day," on May 5, 1868.

    The date of the order came exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance.

    The date was later changed to May 30.

    Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.