The Vicksburg National Military Park will bring the past to life this weekend in honor of Memorial Day with Military Thru the Ages, a set of events honoring those killed and wounded from the time of the Revolutionary War to the ongoing war against terror.

Starting at 9 this morning, the park will host re-enactments and cannon firings near the Visitor Center. Volunteers and employees will be dressed in military uniforms from time periods from the Revolutionary War to present day.

Memorial Day weekend is the park’s second busiest time of year, the first being the Fourth of July. Park officials are expecting more than 7,500 visitors for the three-day holiday weekend.

Tim Kavanaugh, supervisory park ranger for interpretation and visitor services, said Memorial Day is a special time for this country, and should be remembered as such.

“We think of Memorial Day as a kick-off to summer, but the true reason for this holiday is to stop and remember the sacrifice of American soldiers over the past 230 years,” Kavanaugh said. “Our peace, freedom and prosperity are direct results of sacrifices made since 1775.”

The event began Friday morning, with park employees and community volunteers decorating graves with United States flags at the Vicksburg National Cemetery. About 45 people worked to adorn the 18,000 graves of soldiers from the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II and the Korean Conflict.