Remembering Our Fallen Heroes
Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom is vital if we want to keep their memories alive
. For this reason, Americans take time on the last Monday in May to remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Memorial Day was originally known 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 decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.
On the first Decoration Day, then-General James Garfield stood before the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington National Cemetery Mansion and spoke of the sacrifices brave soldiers made for 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 lay 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 graves 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 asserted 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 annual community-wide celebration, during which time local business 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 designation 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 national 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 Veterans Day is observed in November and 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 on the grave of every person buried there and the President or Vice President gives a speech honoring the contributions of those fallen military members. 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 veterans 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.
by: Sundar K
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