On Memorial Day, Three Stories Of Loss, Redemption, And Healing -- Christian Science Monitor
Three people who lost loved ones to war honor those who serve and tangibly help others.
The increasing number of homes with gold stars in the window, the sign that a military son or daughter has been lost, is a sad measure of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Read more ....
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
I. 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 during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If our 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 from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.
More News On Memorial Day
Biden Pays Solemn Tribute to Fallen Troops in Arlington Cemetery Ceremony -- FOX News
Obama Not the 1st President to Miss Memorial Day at Arlington -- CBS News
US troops in Afghanistan, Iraq mark Memorial Day -- AP
US troops in Afghanistan mark Memorial Day -- Yahoo News/AP
Military.com Interviews Friedrich St. Florian, Architect of the WWII Memorial in DC -- Military.com
The History of Memorial Day -- Military.com
Memorial Day Quotes and Facts -- Indy Posted
10 Things to Remember About Memorial Day -- Mental Floss
A musical reminder of the war that led to Memorial Day -- Baltimore Sun
Memorial Day, for a father whose son was killed in Iraq -- L.A. Times
Remembering a fallen daughter -- L.A. Times
Uncommon valor on the Common: Flags help families heal -- Boston Herald
Remembering Mark -- Kerplunk
Seeing a fallen soldier home -- Colleen M. Getz, Washington Times
A Military Father Remembers On Memorial Day -- Gen. Paul Vallely (ret.), FOX News
Memorial Day: What Gold Star families want you to know -- Boston Herald
What we remember on Memorial Day -- L.A. Times
A Tale of Two Americas On Memorial Day 2010 -- William Forstchen, FOX News
This Memorial Day, honoring a military that's in isolation -- E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
EDITORIAL: General Orders No. 11 -- Washington Times
In memory of those who gave their all -- Miami Herald editorial
Interactive Map Tool Creates Online Memorial To U.S., Coalition Troops -- CNN
Previous Posts: Memorial Day 2008, Memorial Day 2009