Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action. (Thanks to Wikipedia for that eloquent explanation as to why you get a three-day weekend.) So with all due respect to those that have sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice, why not go tailgating this Memorial Day? Tailgating is uniquely American and we can’t think of a better way to honor those fighting men and women than to tip a few cold ones in their honor. To get you in the mood, here are some of the news and blogs stories that happened this week regarding our favorite pastime, tailgating.

• Tailgating will be allowed prior to the Eric Clapton concert at PNC Bank Arts Center but the Asbury Park Press warns that cops will be in full force looking for underage drinkers.
• The CNET appliance blog network reviews the Transportable Kitchenette that would fit in perfectly at your next tailgate party.
• Gizmodo showcases 10 Awesome Grills You Can Buy For The Ultimate Memorial Day BBQ.
• The Green Bay Packers just announced their 2008 summer tailgate tour dates.
• We Are SC gives the heads up that tailgating will be limited to your parking space only for the USC Trojan Football games next season.
• MVictors.com gives mad props to the University of Michigan Business School for gearing up their tailgating bus in May, months prior to the college football season.
• Jason Cherkis of the Washington City Paper laments that tailgating is a noticeable casualty of the opening of Nationals Park.
• The Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar B. Goodman, donned an apron and served up traditional tailgate party food to celebrate the International Council of Shopping Center’s May Convention.
• The Beardown and The Yard Barker offer up a few ways to sneak in booze while tailgating.
• Alex Kreitman of the Burlington Times News recalls how playing cornhole and tailgating helped shape and mold his love of Nascar.
• Pork Magazine suggests grilling pork while tailgating the Indy 500 instead of the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs.
• Cooking and Recipes offers up their review of the Brinkman Smoke N Pit Professional and Grill King Smoker.
• New York Jets QB Chad Pennington compares the tailgating before a hospital fund raiser to be tailgating on steroids.
• See what it is like to tailgate before a Texas Rangers game with four young boys under the age of 12.
• The Clay Aiken Blog compares the behavior of Clay Aiken fans to those of tailgaters.
• A day in the life…of Mark Williams recounts what is on his tailgate party menu.
• The profile of Humble, Texas Police office Brian Waldroup list tailgating as one of his hobbies and interests.
• Rick Rantamaki offers up some suggestions on tailgating before The Eagles concert in Atlanta.
• Church Youth Groups are suggesting tailgating as a way to make Graduation Sunday services a little more fun.
• Volusia Speedway invites tailgaters to fire up the grill for a Tailgating Competition to win prizes from Budweiser and Quality Brands in DeLand.
• The third annual Colfax Falcon Football Tailgate Party and Auction is slated for Sat. July 26 at the Living War Memorial Park in Colfax, Calif. from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Life In The Great Midwest compares the Indy 500 to a non-stop three-day tailgate party.
• Even youth T-ball games are open game for tailgating.
• Who needs tickets to the Richmond Nascar race when you can just go for the tailgate party?
• Sassy Sweet pea shares a photo of her and the crew tailgating before The Derby. (Just make sure to not tell her husband.)
• 2 The Lion Football blogs that any type of party can be a tailgate party.
• Queen Muffy reveals that a tailgate party is the only way you’ll catch her at church.
• Mr and Mrs Stephens laments that the parking lot before a wedding resembled a tailgate party atmosphere.