| Histories: Memorial Day |
"Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
General John A. Logan in his General Order No. 11 of May 5th, 1868,
Decoration Day
How many times have we stood in stunned silence gazing over the uncountable headstones, neatly lined in military rows... sloping gently over the rolling hills... wondering who they were, who they loved, yet knowing exactly what brought them to this sacred place. How many can say they never shed a tear or felt the lump that makes one swallow hard as they begin to relaize the enormous loss that comes with the words... War!
And we remember.
We remember the images of mud and blood, of stretchers, tears, solemn processions and the lines of flag-draped caskets... we remember the startling report of guns in salute, aircraft roaring overhead and the mournful wail of Taps... and we know.
We know these are special men and women, residing forever in a special place, and we know that wwere it not for them and the ultimate sacrifice each of them committed, we would not be here, in this place, at this time, in free and carefree manner that we go about our lives.
And we give thanks.
The History of Memorial Day
Although many towns and villages in the North claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, the actual genesis appears to come from the women of the Confederacy who decorated the graves of their fallen husbands, sons, fathers and brothers. A Civil War hymn, published in 1867, is named "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet... its dedication simply reads..."To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead".
"Kneel
Where Our Loves Are Sleeping
Words by G.W.R.
Music by Mrs. L. Nella Sweet
Kneel
where our loves are sleeping, Dear ones days gone by,
Here we bow in holy reverence, Our bosoms heave the heartfelt sigh.
They fell like brave men, true as steel, And pour’d their blood like rain,
We feel we owe them all we have, And can but weep and kneel again.
CHORUS
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and true,
Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can
do.
VERSE
2:
Here we find our noble dead, Their spirits
soar’d to him above,
Rest they now about his throne, For God is mercy, God is love.
Then let us pray that we may live, As pure and good as they have been,
That dying we may ask of him, To open the gate and let us in.
CHORUS
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and true,
Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can
do."
Waterloo, NY claims to be the birthplace, and although officially declared so by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, it would seem that no one may truly lay claim to the tradition of remembering the War Dead by decorating their graves... from all accounts, it was a practice that sprung up in many, many individual towns both in the North and the South.
It doesn't matter who was first... what matters is that almost immediately the tradition was being practiced throughout the land and within short order it would become official. It is appropriate perhaps that the earliest accounts place the tradition in the loving and empty arms of the women left behind after the battle had ended.
Decoration Day - May 5th 1868
National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, General John A. Logan, was so struck by the practice of decorating the graves of th war dead, that he penned an eloquent order for the Union Army. It read -
General Order No. 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic Washington, D.C.,
May 5, 1868
Decoration Day
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated 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, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General
General John Logan
Decorated POW Graves at Andersonville National Historic Site & Museum
The first Northern observance was that 30th of May, 1868, and the springtime flowers were indeed placed upon the graves of both Union and Confederate war dead that were buried at the new National Cememtery at Arlington, Virginia. The South refused to accept or acknowledge the order and took to honoring their war dead on separate days until after World War I. It was at that time that Decoration Day was set aside not just for honoring the Civil War war dead, but for honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in ALL wars. Even though May 30th is the original and actual day of remembrance, Congress passed a bill moving the public observance from May 30th to the last Monday in May to create a 3-day federal holiday weekend. Some of the former Confederate states still observe a separate date for honoring Confederate War Dead - Texas, January 19th; Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida, April 26th; Lousisana and Tennessee, June 3rd (the birthday of Jefferson Davis), and South Carolina, May 10th.
A humanitarian activist organization called, No Greater Love, which exists to educate and perpetuate observances and remembrances for those killed in war or as the result of terrorist actions and to support the surviving family members with programs and a sense of community, began a campaign in 1997 to create a National Moment of Silence. The campaign was designed to bring the 'Memorial" back into Memorial Day and to insure Americans took a brief moment out of their Memorial Day activities to stand in silence and remember those who gave their lives in defense of the nation and to be thankful to them. Congress then passed a National Moment of Remembrance resolution titled, S.Con.Res 100, which was introduced by Senators Chuck Hagel and Bob Kerrey, both of Nebraska.
It Reads -
"To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps.'"
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 100 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 100--EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF CONGRESS FOR A NATIONAL MONUMENT OF REMEMBRANCE TO BE OBSERVED AT 3:00 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME ON EACH MEMORIAL DAY (Senate - March 29, 2000)
[Page: S1914] GPO's PDF
Mr. HAGEL (for himself and Mr. Kerrey) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Con. Res. 100
Whereas the preservation of basic freedoms and world peace has always been a valued objective of this great country;
Whereas thousands of American men and women have selflessly given their lives in service as peacemakers and peacekeepers;
Whereas greater strides should be made to demonstrate the appreciation and gratitude these loyal Americans deserve and to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice they made;
Whereas Memorial Day is the day of the year for the Nation to appropriately remember American heroes by inviting the citizens of this Nation to respectfully honor them at a designated time;
Whereas Memorial Day needs to be made relevant to both present and future generations of Americans; and
Whereas a National Moment of Remembrance would provide citizens in the United States an opportunity to participate in a symbolic act of American unity: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress--
(1) expresses its support for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. eastern standard time on each Memorial Day in honor of the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe a National Moment of Remembrance on each Memorial Day.
[Page: S1915] GPO's PDF
* [Begin insert] Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague from Nebraska, Senator Bob Kerrey, to submit a resolution expressing Congress' support for a national moment of remembrance, to be observed on Memorial Day each year, in order to appropriately honor American patriots lost in pursuit of peace and liberty around the world.
Should Congress pass this resolution, `Taps' will be played at 3 pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Memorial Day each year, in honor of those who have sacrificed their lives for their country. In other words, this resolution seeks to put the `memorial' back into Memorial Day.
It is my hope that this moment of remembrance will bring all Americans together in a spirit of respect, patriotism and gratitude. Our intention is to help restore the recognition our veterans deserve for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our great Nation.
No Greater Love, a nonprofit organization which assists the families of Americans who died in service to their country or in terrorist acts, has helped support this resolution as part of their `Proud to Remember' campaign. We are all grateful for their efforts.
Observances
Continuing in the tradition that preceeded, Americans decorate the graves of their war dead with flags, bunting, crosses and flowers. Every National Cemetery has a Memorial Day Committee, which oversees the preparation of a Memorial Day Observance. For days before the observance, family members, scout troops, civic groups, veterans organizations and caring citizens turn out by the tens of thousands to walk the endless rows of markers and place upon each and every one an American flag. On Memorial Day, a formal observance is held with an endless stream of color guards from WW I, WW II, The Korean War-Cold War Era, Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Gold Star Mothers and surviving Ex-POWs are honored guests, especially so because of their enormous sacrifice. Benediction and prayers are offered, addresses and comments, a moment of silence, the placing of wreaths, then the gun salute and the playing of Taps. POWs and MIAs are remembered... appropriately because many POWs died in captivity and many Missing were Killed in Action, their remains unrecovered.
For many Memorial Day means the beginning of Summer days; the first day at the beach; picnics and bar-b-ques or a sale at the mall. But the real meaning of Memorial Day is to Remember... remember the sacrifice of men and women who died in service to the nation, the sacrifice of their families who gave sometimes their only child, and remember the sacrifice of entire generations who gave the best, the brighest and bravest they had to offer.
"War drew us from our homeland in the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always."
Artwork: AII POW-MIA
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