Memorial Day

As we celebrate Memorial day I thought it would be nice to do a write up on exactly what we're celebrating. So here's a short history of Memorial Day:

Memorial Day originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nations service. First enacted to honor union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.

As the unofficial start of summer many people utilize this long weekend with barbecues and picnics. Flags are traditionally run at half mast and there is a national moment of remembrance held at 3pm eastern time. Many AMericans use Memorial Day to also honor family members who have passed away.

Decoration Day was first proclaimed by John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5th, 1868. On that day he issued General Order #11:

The 30th of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing 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.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first Memorial Day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site had been a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while in captivity. The freed slaves re-interred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to individual graves, fences in the graveyard and built an entry way arch declaring it a Union graveyard.

Whatever you prefer to call is and however you prefer to celebrate , it is a day to honor all those who have passed away in service to this nation. So as you enjoy this long weekend be sure and take time to not only remember those who have died in service to our country but to the hundreds of thousands around the world who currently keep the peace and fight to keep us free on this Memorial Day!