The custom of setting aside a day to honor those who have fallen defending our country had it's beginnings in the late 1860's. It is likely that in towns in both North and South, memorials and gatherings were planned to honor those lost in the great Civil War. It would grow out of a need to remember those lost, to honor those who gave the final measure of devotion. All of these contributed to a growing movement which came together in an official proclamation in 1868. Colonel John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic declared an official Memorial Day on May 5, 1868 and the first observance of this holiday was on May 30, 1868. The south refused to honor the day until the end of World War I, when it became a day to honor all those who died not just the Civil War By 1890 it was recognized in all the northern states and became an official national holiday in 1971.
The observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans fail to see it as a day of observance and no longer adhere to the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. It is an excuse for a day off of work, a trip to the amusement park or picnic and barbecue. Many towns no longer hold parades or services for the fallen. We need to get back to the original meaning of Memorial Day and while we are boating or camping or barbecuing, take a moment and remember and honor those who died for our freedom.
I
