Please Remember

Memorial Day or Decoration Day is the U.S. holiday in remembrance of those who died in the nation's service.  The holiday was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, when it was originated by General John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The custom itself of honoring the graves of the war dead began before the close of the American Civil War.  In the South, the town of Columbus, Mississippi claims origination of a formal observance when two women in 1866, placed flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers who fought and died in the American Civil War.   The observance was later extended to all U.S. war dead.  Waterloo, NY is cited as the birthplace of the observance in the North in the same year.  (Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.)  There was no fixed day of national celebration until General Logan issued a general order designating May 30th "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."

The holiday is now observed in almost every state on the last Monday of May, but a few retain the long established day of celebration, May 30th.  The observance assumes the form of military and civic parades, memorial exercises, flags flown at half mast until noon, decorating the graves of American servicemen in foreign cemeteries, water services for those who died at seas, and ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Similar commemorations are observed in numerous other countries.

Please take a moment to remember those who gave all for their country.

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