“Let us, then, at the time appointed gather…”

The tradition of “Decoration Day,” as it was originally termed, was declared a national holiday

by an order from Union General John A. Logan.

General Order No. 11 came on May 5, 1868:

“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…[P]osts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”

The order follows a promise with a charge:

“If other eyes grow dull, 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 to us. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved…”

Memorial Day as we know it today developed through the years, broadening after WWI to remember American men and women who died in all wars at home and abroad. In 1950, decades before Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and designated it as a federal holiday, Harry S. Truman was prompted by a Congressional resolution to issue a proclamation requesting that Memorial Day, which had “long been set aside for paying tribute to those who lost their lives in war,” be dedicated as also a day of nation-wide prayer for peace in the world of unrest after WWII.

In keeping with Logan’s order for “fitting services and testimonials of respect,” Memorial Day observations include parades, wearing or placing flowers on graves, the placement of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, flags flown at half-staff, a national moment of remembrance at 3 PM, and a myriad of other personal and official observations.

Today, I am grateful for breath to add my own remembrance and grateful for those with “the warmth and light of life” who spend today

in gratitude for

those who died to secure our freedom.