Memorial Day Establishment Orders
[Memorial Day, formerly known as
Decoration Day, is a time for remembrance of
those persons who died in national service. Although Waterloo New
York was officially designated the birthplace of the practice in
May 1966, despite the organized efforts of women's groups in the
South to decorate Confederate gravesites before the end of the
Civil War, national observance derives from Logan's 5 May 1868
orders proclaiming a 30 May 1868 commemoration. The South
traditionally honored Confederate dead on separate days
(variously January 19, April 26, May 10, June 3) until after
World War I, when the holiday became universal. The poem, "In
Flanders Fields", inspired Moina Michael to promote the
wearing of red poppies as a remembrance of war
dead, with the proceeds benefiting disabled veterans, widows, and
orphans. In the "Luminaria Program", Scouts
light candles on Memorial Day at Fredericksburg
and Spotsylvania battlefields. The "National Moment of
Remembrance" resolution, passed December 2000, asks that
all Americans voluntarily and informally observe in their own way
a Moment of Remembrance and Respect, at 3 p.m. local time on
Memorial Day; interrupting whatever they are
doing to pause for a moment of silence, or to listen to the
playing of Taps.]
Subj: Memorial Day establishment orders
General Order Number 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
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 churchyard in the land. In this observance no
form or 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 by cherishing tenderly
the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade
between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the
reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a 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 found
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 and 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 in us. Let us, then,
at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and
garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers
of springtime; 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 as
sacred charges upon the 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 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
call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in
bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country
in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this
order effective.
By command of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
/s/N.P. Chipman
N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General.
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