Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who lost their lives serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war, a tradition that started with a World War I poem. Many also take weekend trips or host parties and barbecues.
Due to frequent storms, the Grand Prairie crew postponed their Memorial Day cookout and celebrated on Friday, June 7, with a barbecue featuring brisket, ribs, chicken leg quarters, sausage, barbecue baked beans, smoked mac & cheese, and banana pudding. A special thanks to Sous Chef Andrian Lopez, who assisted with the cooking all night without taking a nap.
In addition to the Memorial Day celebration, I had the privilege of bringing Discada cooking, a northern Mexico technique also known as cowboy-wok cooking, to Buda. We celebrated Discada Day with a feast of tacos.