New Item: When was the first Memorial Day?

Memorial Day or Decoration Day as it was known then was officially proclaimed by General John Logan on May, 5th, 1868. General Logan was the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and in his general order number 11, Memorial Day was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Memorial Day, perhaps more than any other day when we remember our loved ones was born out of great human suffering and necessity. Within each of us there is the strong desire to be free and live a special life with those we love. We want this for not just ourselves but for all peoples and for our next generations. Men and woman have stood up and fought for this freedom and have given their lives for this freedom so that those who live today can be free." These are the words of Henry Ross.

Today I met Henry. He came to the cemetery and stayed all day tending to the graves of veterans making sure their flags were standing straight and waving in the breeze. He personally cleaned each memorial and marker. He asked each visitor if they knew when we first celebrated Memorial Day. Most knew why but none knew when. Henry said this is how he has spent Memorial Day for the last sixty years and will until the day someone comes to clean his. He was a veteran of World War II.

Henry gave my day special meaning and I thought I would share his story with you...

B. E. Stoecklein