Several spots in Texas are offering Memorial Day food deals beginning this weekend. Veterans and military members can also enjoy some freebies.

Memorial Day stems from the aftermath of the Civil War, when Americans sought ways to honor the loss of life from that catastrophic war that resulted in the death of at least 2 percent of the population at the time, according to the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Petersburg, Va., played a surprising role in the birth of Memorial Day. Discover how a visit to Blandford Cemetery helped spark a national tradition.

On Friday and through the Memorial Day weekend, you may see people handing out and wearing red flowers. Here's why.

Along with the festivities to look forward to, many restaurants and stores are offering food deals to help get through the weekend. Memorial Day, on Monday, May 26, is a national holiday meant to honor deceased members of the United States military.

A large area of severe thunderstorms is forecast into Tuesday night and will overlap areas in the Ohio, Tennessee and middle Mississippi valleys that were hit by deadly and damaging storms, forecasters say.

One of the honorees was Captain Hugh Nelson Jr., an Alabama native who died in Vietnam and was recently recognized with the Medal of Honor in January.

The following roads will be closed or have parking restrictions beginning Thursday at 8 p.m. and running through Monday at 4 a.m.