In Remembrance
In the past 241 years, over one million men and women have died in the service of the United States of America. This Memorial Day please remember the reason for the holiday is to honor
and remember those who have given their life in the service of this country.
Below are the words of the original Memorial Day proclamation issued by
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5th, 1868
to commemorate and remember the fallen from the American Civil War.
The Grand Army of the Republic was the largest veterans' organization
representing soldiers who served the Union cause.
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
- 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 other 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 hishonor; 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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