Member since:
June 9, 2006

TODAY, May 30th, Is Memorial Day - Logan's Order

May 30, 2008 06:44 AM EDT

views: 118 | rating: 9.9/10 (33 votes) | comments: 32

Hailing from the official birthplace of the holiday, the small upstate village of Waterloo, New York nestled in the heart of the central Finger Lakes region, today, May 30th, is Memorial Day, orignally called 'Decoration Day'. While the rest of the nation observed this commemoration as part of a three day weekend, Waterloo marks Memorial Day on its original date of May 30th; no matter what day of the week it falls upon in accordance with the original decree setting this date aside to honor those brave men and women of the United States armed forces who gave their lives during the course of battle from as far back as the Cicil War.

The following is the entire text of General Order No. 11, mandating the creation of the first Memorial Day, May 30, 1868:

HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

At dawn today, members of the Waterloo American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will gather in formation the village's three cemeteries; Bear, Stark Street and Maple Grove; to raise the American flag, then lower if to half staff to honor those fallen heroes who lost their lives during various conflicts down through the years.

Prayers will be said for their souls and thanks will be given for the ultimate sacrifice they made laying down their lives in the name of freedom. Wreathes will be laid in the veteran's plots overlooking their flag-decorated graves.

The strains of Taps will echo over the tombstones, where their bodies rest through eternity.

Later in the day, residents will gather to line Main Street through the village for the annual parade with the procession winding its way through the heart of town to LaFayette Park, where ceremonies will be held.

Patriotic music will be performed by the village's school bands. Prayers and expressions of gratitude will be offered to those who lost their lives.

A fly-over of military planes

will present their salute to the fallen followed by a 21 gun salute.

There will also be readings of the Gettysburg Address and General Logan's order marking the 142nd consecutive year Memorial Day has been observed in the place where it all began.
Whether or not you paid homage earlier this week to those brave members of the military who died for you and me; take the time to honor their memory today, May 30th, the official date of Memorial Day.