Memorial Day: A time to remember our fallen heroes
The beginnings of Memorial Day are believed to go back to shortly after the Civil War, May 5, 1868, when Maj. Gen. John A Logan, the head of an organization of Union veterans, established “Decoration Day” as a time to recognize the war dead by decorating their graves with flowers. The date was chosen, it seems, because flowers of some sort would be in bloom in most parts of the country. The first large observance was held that same year (1868) at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Cities and states adopted the holiday over the years, and by the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. Only after World War I, however, was the day expanded to honor those who died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, and it was then also placed on the last Monday in May.
Memorial Day: a time for connection
Readers of this blog will know how important I believe it is to study history—to connect with the past so we can better understand the present and better prepare for the future. In particular, Memorial Day is a time to connect with those who have gone before and given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. It’s a time to reflect on our values as a nation and to say a prayer of gratitude for those men and women in uniform who still serve this great nation.
The American flag: our Memorial Day symbol
This video featuring the wonderful song “Ragged Old Flag,” written and sung by the late Johnny Cash, takes us on a trip back in time and inspires us to reflect on all that our flag has seen and all that it still represents. I encourage you to do something concrete this Memorial Day to express your appreciation for those who have died in service to our country. Attend a local celebration. Contribute to a veterans group. Support organizations that help wounded warriors. Our nation is only as strong as we, its citizens, so we must each do our part to keep that flag flying high.
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I read an article on that few years ago at the Historical Society office in Richmond. Being from Virginia myself and with several Confederate veterans in Hollywood, I was excited to discover it. I may be off on the exact dates, but it was noted to be the first observance and forerunner to our Memorial Day.
Wonderful — I really appreciate your sharing this with us all.
In November or December 1867, three women “decorated” with greenery Confederate graves in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Then, the following year, they started putting flowers on all Confederate graves in Hollywood at some point in the spring; they did this for years, and it was then picked up by residents at the Confederate Home beside what is now the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. It still continues to this day, with Confederate flags and/or flowers on Confederate graves in Hollywood, being done by local SCV and UDC members. So, while politically correct history now credits General Logan and his group of veterans with the first “Decoration Day”, it actually began in Richmond, VA.
Thank you for this wonderful addition to the richness of the story, Judy. I read several sources but didn’t see this one — yet I got the impression that there were various places competing for the honor of having been the place where Decoration Day began. Since I’m a Virginian, I’ll proudly embrace Richmond’s claim!
Well done, Elizabeth. And Johnny. Cash.
Thanks, Karen — I knew you’d resonate with it. And thank you for sharing it too!
Beautifully said. I didn’t know the entire history of how Memorial Day was started, and find it amazing that it didn’t become a national holiday until 1971. My dad (a WWII veteran) always bemoaned the fact that so many people only thought of Memorial Day as a ‘day off’ and a day to have a picnic. So, although he’s gone from this world now, I surround myself with memories, love, and gratitude for my dad every Memorial Day.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your dad with us. Mine was a WWII vet too, and I thought of him all day. Be sure to read Judy’s comment that gives an alternative version to how Memorial Day was started.