Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of rememberance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen citizens and towns laying claim to being its birthplace. There is also evidence that organzied women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War; a hymn published in 1867 hymn "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet, carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating The Graves of The Confederate Dead." While Waterloo, NY was offically declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, its difficult to prove conclusively the exact origins.
It is likely that it had several separate beginnings with the many planned or spontaneous gathers of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's, culminating with Gen Logan, national commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic, giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not imporant who was the very first. What is important is that Memorial Day be observed. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
Thank you for those memembers of the miliary service who have proudly served our country and we remember those who have fought and died for our country.
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