Memorial Day is Monday May 28th. What was this day really for? Originally it was for the Union Soldiers who died during the Civil War. Actually wars are not civil they are rather hot tempered. Both sides shooting at one another and neither one caring about who is right or wrong. Oh Back to Memorial Day.
Memorial Day Started right after the Civil War as a means of Honoring the fallen Union Soldiers. It actually was called Decoration Day because they decorated the graves of the Union Soldiers. Usually with flowers, sometimes with art but always with dignity. In General Order Number 11 it was stated that Memorial Day was to be celebrated on the last Monday in May. This order was signed by General John A. Logan. The date of the order was May 8 1868. This order was for Fort Arlington which is now Arlington National Cemetary. Fast forward to 1971 Congress passed a Federal Holiday Act which made it officially the Last Monday in May so that Federal workers could enjoy a 3 day weekend.
Memorial Day has been expanded to include all soldiers serving the United States of America who have died. This is to include retired soldiers. In these days of Branch of Service all military regardless of branch are honored with a flag on their graves.
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My sources are as Follows,
- http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp#hist
- The United States Army for a copy of the General Order Number 11 and who signed it.
Have you honored your local Vetran on this day? Do you know who the Fallen Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reservists are in the local Cemetary?
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Comments are always welcome.