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Memorial Day Message 20 May 2015
Written by Doug Bower



 Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies.

After WWI, the holiday morphed in Memorial Day and began to recognize not just the Civil War dead, but all those who fought and died for the nation.  It became a recognized federal holiday in 1971.

Today we celebrate with parades, the Washington DC military concert season begins, the Indianapolis 500, Las Vegas will host "raucous" pool club parties, and there will be countless barbeques.  This Memorial Day will have celebrations commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the End of WWII and the 150th Anniversary of the End of the Civil War.

I always become uncomfortable on Memorial Day because no matter how we celebrate, someone will always thank me for my service.  Memorial Day is not for that.  Memorial Day is to remember those you can't personally thank for their service. 

It used to be tradition (going back to when it was Decoration Day) that people would pause and remember the war dead at 3pm on Memorial Day.  That practice still exists in a few areas and commemorations of Memorial Day.  So, whether you're at a parade, barbeque, military concert, or even a raucous pool party...I'm not one who tries put out the guilt trip on how you celebrate.  Have fun.  I will.  But at 3pm, pause, maybe lift a glass if appropriate, and remember.

Merle Ralph Cory

Gerald Price Holtom

Donald Gilbert Cook

Roger Earl Dalrymple

George Percy Kendall Jr

Pedro Jaime Caudillo

Willard Dale Marshall

Joseph Kent Wolfe

Michael Charles Wunsch

Ronald J Garcia

Ronald E Baum

 

Vince Burdelski

Chairman of the Board  

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