Memorial Day
Memorial Day was created back in 1868 by John A. Logan. This has been known as Logan's Order for a while now.
Headquarters Grand Army of the RepublicGeneral Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868I. 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 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 ofJOHN A. LOGAN,Commander-in-ChiefN.P. CHIPMAN,Adjutant GeneralOfficial:WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.
Today Ennie and I went to what used to be Fort Lawton in Magnolia. There's a military cemetery there that was holding an event there. I have to say I miss the ones that we've gone to at Chagrin Falls that were run by En's dad.One of the key things in the Chagrin event was a kid from school would read Logan's Order. It served to cement the meaning of Memorial Day. While it's a day that many people enjoy the day off and have a picnic -- and that's all well and good. The meaning is to make sure that we remember the fallen and the people they left behind.It's not a rah-rah event. It's not a political event. It's not a me event. It's not a you event. In many ways it's a very existential moment of pause.We live in a country where soldiers go off to fight a battle not of their choosing. Many come back much as they left -- perhaps scarred, but OK. Some don't come back at all and are marked with a headstone. Still others come back a shell of their original selves, living but not whole. In Seattle we have a front-row seat to watching many veterans come back and fall into homelessness. The last paragraph of article one I would argue applies to these warriors as well.And here I stand just pondering the problem not knowing what the next step aught to be.