MEMORIAL DAY

            Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of that war. By the 20^th century this holiday had been extended to honor all Americans who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

More than one area claims the title of having the first Memorial Day celebration. According to my internet research, in 1865 a druggist in the village of Waterloo, New York by the name of Henry C. Welles, was at a social gathering and brought up the subject of decorating the graves of the dead of the Civil War. Welles again mentioned this in 1866 to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray liked this idea and formed a committee to plan a day to honoring the dead. On May 5, 1866, civic groups followed veterans marching to martial music as they visited three cemeteries in the area. Long services were held at each cemetery including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. This was repeated on the same date one year later. On May 5, 1868, the first official recognition of Decoration/Memorial Day was issued by General John A. Logan, who was the first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. Memorial Day is still commemorated each year in Waterloo with a parade, speeches, and solemn observances.

            Another claim to the first Memorial Day observance, held in Charleston, South Carolina, was on May 1, 1865.  During the Civil War, Union prisoners were held at the Charleston Race Course. At least 257 Union prisoners died there and were buried in unmarked graves.

            Freedmen (freed slaves) were aware of the Union dead and decided to honor them. Together with educators and missionaries, the blacks in Charleston organized a May Day ceremony, which many claim be called the “First Decoration Day.” In preparation for this day, the freedmen cleaned and landscaped the burial ground. Close to ten thousand people, mostly freedmen, gathered on May 1 to commemorate the dead.

            In 1915 Mona Michael, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” wrote the following poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

She then came up with the idea of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation in war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. This tradition is still active.       

In 1971, the National Holiday Act was passed and in most states Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. In 2002, the Veterans of Foreign Wars stated that “changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.”

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At some cemeteries the graves of the fallen are ignored and neglected. Some think the day is for honoring any and all dead, not just those fallen in service to our country.

            As we celebrate this holiday with our barbeques, picnics, family gatherings, I hope each of us will remember the men and women in the Armed Forces who have lost their lives. It would also be a good time to reflect on and be grateful for those serving in the United States Armed Forces today, representing all of us in their effort to help others become free.