by Jerry Dupuis of Inlet, Lt. United States Navy

As we approach what Americans call Memorial Day, it might serve us well to know a bit of the holiday’s history. Originally called Decoration Day, it has always been a day for remembering those who gave their lives in service to America.

There are many stories and claims to its beginnings. However, there is clear evidence that organized women’s groups, in the South, were decorating graves of Confederate soldiers before the end of the Civil War. Nevertheless, in May 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially declared Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

In any event, it’s not important to know what community was first to celebrate America’s war dead; what is important is that Memorial Day was established, not to emphasize division among us but, reconciliation, and a coming together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.

Originally, Memorial Day was first officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873. By 1890, it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died in the Civil War, to honoring all Americans who died fighting in any war.

It was established nationwide when, in 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act. Several southern states still honor their Confederate war dead on different dates: Texas, January 19; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina, and June 3 in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem, In Flanders Fields, Moina Michael replied with her own poem: Continue reading →