What does Memorial Day Mean to You?
28 Jun 2010
Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom is vital if we want to keep their souls alive. For this reason, Americans set aside time on the final Monday in May to remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Memorial Day was originally named as Decoration Day. On May 30, 1868, General John A. Logan, of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed the day to be set aside for Americans to remember those who died during the Civil War. It was called “Decoration Day” because Americans used the time to lay flowers at the graves of fallen soldiers.
On the first Decoration Day, then-General James Garfield stood upon the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington National Cemetery Mansion and spoke of the sacrifices brave soldiers made for our freedom . After his speech, 5,000 volunteers decorated more than 20,000 graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in the national cemetery.
Several other cities also hold claim to be the birthplace of Decoration Day ceremonies. According to residents of Columbus, Mississippi, on April 25, 1866, a group of local women decorated the tombs of Confederate soldiers who were killed in the battle of Shiloh. Other claims to the first ceremony include Malcom and Columbus, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois. The city of Carbondale has shown proof in a stone monument recognizing April 29, 1866, as the first Decoration Day.
In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson put an end to the speculation by declaring Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of Decoration Day ceremonies. Johnson reportedly chose this spot because on May 5, 1866, Waterloo held an yearly community-wide celebration, during which time local businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of fallen soldiers.
By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day was becoming a nationwide tradition, celebrated by state legislatures making proclamations and a number of businesses closing. At this time, the day still only honored those who died during the Civil War. Following World War I, that all changed and Decoration Day was expanded to honor members of the U.S. military killed in all wars. It was at this time that the name was changed to “Memorial Day”.
In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a nationwide holiday and said it would be celebrated on the last Monday in May. This day is set aside to honor those who died in wartime, while Veteran’s Day – observed in November –recognizes all U.S. veterans.
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated with ceremonies across the nation. The most prominent of these is held in Arlington National Cemetery. A small flag is placed at the grave of every individual buried there and the President or Vice President gives a speech honoring the contributions of those fallen men and women . Following the speech, he lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
You do not need to travel to Washington, D.C., to honor the military on Memorial Day. There are parades and special ceremonies in towns and cities across the country. Participate in a parade or help decorate graves in your local cemetery. You can also make a monetary donation to a veteran’s organization, donate blood to the Red Cross, plant a tree or any unique act you feel honors fallen soldiers. The goal of Memorial Day is to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom. No matter what else you have planned for this national holiday, set aside time to remember and say thank you.
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