Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363).
Please take a moment to look at the pictures of the grave markers below. These pictures were taken at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, aka “Punch Bowl”, on 23 May 2009. Try to remember, during this long holiday weekend, that we are supposed to pause and reflect in memory of those who laid down their lives so we can live free, practice the faith of our choice, associate with whom we wish and otherwise enjoy all the blessing of this great country.
The purpose of the holiday were are preparing to observe is to honor a promise, that those who made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten, regardless of where they fought and died. We who have benefited from their sacrifice should always remember that they gave up their tomorrows, so that we could have our today’s. Take a moment, reflect in silence, attend an event honoring their memory, but fulfill that promise that they are not forgotten. Remember them on this most special day and live each of your days happy and secure that there are men and women across this great country who will continue to sacrifice so we may all benefit and live free.
