The National Memorial Day Association of Georgia and The Avenue of Flags, Inc, was founded on March 16, 1946, in Atlanta, Georgia. It is composed of individual Patron Members and of Member Organizations who wish to remember and honor the men and women who have served in the United States of America Armed Forces, the many who have given their lives to protect our freedom, the many who are now deceased, and those currently serving in the Armed Forces.

The organization is not used for the promotion of political candidates or partisan politics and is a registered nonprofit organization qualified under Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Expenses incurred by the NMDA in the planning and conducting of its Memorial Day Service are paid for with member dues and some sponsor companies. The specific objective and purpose of the NMDA&AF, Inc, is to plan for, organize, support, and conduct annually, the Memorial Day Ceremony and The Avenue of Flags at the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.

The ceremony Monday, May 26, 2008, will be the 60th consecutive ceremony planned and conducted by the NMDA&AF. Support for this ceremony comes from individuals, veterans organizations and other patriotic groups, the local military bases, the staff of Marietta National Cemetery, local Scouts and High School JROTC and Sea Cadet Units and several interested companies, local Police, and city and county officials. Memorial Day is one of the best opportunities for all of us to express our gratitude for those who have and are serving our country and to honor their sacrifices. The Officers, Directors, and Members of the NMDA&AF encourage as many as possible to share in this patriotic ceremony.

Marietta National Cemetery

Established July 31, 1866, Marietta National Cemetery has represented the sacrifices of servicemen and women for more than 120 years.

This 23.2 acre cemetery was donated to the government by Henry Cole, a Marietta resident (formerly from Chenango County, NY, who hoped to soothe the bitterness between the North and the South after the Civil War, by providing a sacred burial ground for the casualties from both the Union and the Confederacy.   The people of the South could not, however, accept the offer, and consequently a separate Confederate Cemetery was established in Marietta, adjacent to the Marietta National Cemetery, where the original family members were interred.