babela
05-22-2009, 10:04 AM
What is Memorial Day to you? My wife teaches and it is amazing how many students have no idea why the last Monday in May would be called "Memorial" day, or what we are remembering. Most students have the impression that Memorial Day is a three day celebration of sales, the opening of pools and the start of summer!
Memorial day was originally known as Decoration Day, a day when the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated in rememberance of the sacrifice they made for this country (regardless of which side they fought on).
On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars.
In 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act which ensured a 3-day weekend and declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May to remember all of our soldiers.
Please remember to honor and thank our soldiers this weekend. Whether or not you agree with everything that is going on and places we have become involved... our soldiers and their families make huge sacrifices so that we can enjoy America as it is.
One easy way help is to send much-needed gifts, foods, and supplies to the soldiers and to the families of the fallen soldiers. Many lives have been lost to keep America safe. Many families have sacrificed their loved ones for the cause. Repay these families by contacting the local reserve base near you and asking how you can help. Contact the Girl Scout Council and other civic organizations in your area that regularly support the families left behind.
My family is making it a point to pray for our soldiers and their families and thank our neighborhood veterans for their service.
Memorial day was originally known as Decoration Day, a day when the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated in rememberance of the sacrifice they made for this country (regardless of which side they fought on).
On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars.
In 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act which ensured a 3-day weekend and declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May to remember all of our soldiers.
Please remember to honor and thank our soldiers this weekend. Whether or not you agree with everything that is going on and places we have become involved... our soldiers and their families make huge sacrifices so that we can enjoy America as it is.
One easy way help is to send much-needed gifts, foods, and supplies to the soldiers and to the families of the fallen soldiers. Many lives have been lost to keep America safe. Many families have sacrificed their loved ones for the cause. Repay these families by contacting the local reserve base near you and asking how you can help. Contact the Girl Scout Council and other civic organizations in your area that regularly support the families left behind.
My family is making it a point to pray for our soldiers and their families and thank our neighborhood veterans for their service.