Memorial Day has and always should be a day when we all take a moment to remember and honor our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in times of war to protect our freedom. Freedom is not free. Because of these veterans, our families are free today. On this Memorial Day, and every day, may each and every one of these brave men and women who served and protected our country know that we are all eternally grateful for their supreme sacrifice.
On May 5, 1986, Waterloo, NY held the first formal, village-wide observance of a day devoted to honoring U.S. war dead. Memorial Day, originated in a ceremony called Decoration Day, was originally observed as a memorial by the northern states to the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. Memorial came into being when John Logan, Union Army General and Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General Order No. 11 fixing May 30 as the annual date “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in the defense of their country in the late rebellion. It then grew into a national holiday that honors soldiers killed in all wars. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation designating Waterloo, NY the birthplace of Memorial Day.
May 30th was initially designated as Memorial Day but an Act of Congress moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, which only served to take away from its intended purpose as a day to remember our war dead. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971 and has been an annual tribute to those who have given their lives in service to their country.
Local towns and villages pay homage to America’s fallen veterans, survivors and servicemen and women over Memorial Day weekend with parades, concerts, speeches, memorial services and wreath-laying ceremonies.
On this Memorial Day, and every day, may each and every one of these brave men and women who served and protected our country know that we are all eternally grateful for their supreme sacrifice.
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Rosalinda R Morgan 