A day of relection
by
John Lenotte, American Legion
First, a few facts. Memorial Day was
formerly known as Decoration Day. This
holiday commemorates U.S. men and women
who have died in military service to
their country. It began first to honor
Union soldiers who died during the
American Civil War. After World War I, it
was expanded to include those who died in
any war or military action.
The first Memorial Day was observed in
1865 by liberated slaves at the historic
race track in Charleston. The site was a
former Confederate prison camp as well as
a mass grave for Union soldiers who had
died while captive. A parade with
thousands of freed blacks and Union
soldiers was followed by patriotic
singing and a picnic.
The official birthplace of Memorial Day
is Waterloo, New York. The village was
credited with being the birthplace
because it observed the day on May 5,
1866, and each year thereafter, and
because it is likely that the friendship
of General John Murray, a distinguished
citizen of Waterloo, and General John A.
Logan, who led the call for the day to be
observed each year and helped spread the
event nationwide, was a key factor in its
growth.
General Logan had been impressed by the
way the South honored their dead with a
special day and decided the Union needed
a similar day. Reportedly, Logan said
that it was most fitting; that the
ancients, especially the Greeks, had
honored their dead, particularly their
heroes, by chaplets of laurel and
flowers, and that he intended to issue an
order designating a day for decorating
the grave of every soldier in the land,
and if he could he would have made it a
holiday.
Logan had been the principal speaker in a
citywide memorial observation on April
29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale,
Illinois, an event that likely gave him
the idea to make it a national holiday.
On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as
commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic, a veterans’
organization, Logan issued a proclamation
that “Decoration Day” be
observed nationwide. It was observed for
the first time on May 30 of the same
year; the date was chosen because it was
not the anniversary of a battle. The
tombs of fallen Union soldiers were
decorated in remembrance of this day.
The alternative name of “Memorial
Day” was first used in 1882, but did
not become more common until after World
War II, and was not declared the official
name by Federal law until 1967.
On the Thursday before Memorial Day, the
1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry
place small American flags at each of the
more than 260,000 gravestones at
Arlington National Cemetery. They then
patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend
to ensure that each flag remains
standing.
Locally, a few Veterans, led by the
American Legion, place the American flags
on the gravesites of our fallen warriors.
In Haverhill, the number has risen to
over 5,000 graves. A number that will
only increase over time.
Yet again this year, most of us will
focus on going to the beach, lake,
barbecue and yard sale. Can we spare a
bit of our time to salute those who have
served the nation in times of peace and
war? Is it so hard to come out and cheer
those veterans who march in the parade?
Let us not forget that all gave some and
some gave all. And give a moment of
homage to those who paid the ultimate
sacrifice. Let us cherish the freedoms we
have. Freedoms that came with the price
of the fallen soldier, sailor, marine and
airman. A price that continues to be paid
daily. Put politics aside for the day.
And let us say ‘thanks’.
I am asking all our veterans, including
those still on active duty, to
participate in the parade on Memorial
Day. Let us honor our fallen brothers and
sisters. If you cannot march, ride in one
of the many vehicles. Let us show our
elected representatives that we care and
we are very much part of the silent
majority. I challenge you to join me as I
march for those who cannot.
God Bless America and the troops who
protect us.
John Lenotte is the American Legion,
Commander, Wilbur M. Comeau Post 4
Haverhill and Vice Commander, Dept. of
Massachusetts. You can Email him at
JohnLDistrict8@verizon.net
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