Rosemead Kiwanis Club
"Serving the Community Since 1945"
FAX OF
LIFE
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Rosemead Kiwanis Club "Serving the Community Since 1945" |
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FAX OF LIFE
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The Fax of Life
A weekly inspiration, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Scott's Valley
Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. His nationwide action culminated a growing sense of need in numerous local communities to remember the slain of the then just recent Civil War. It was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The name was changed to Memorial Day and expanded to include all war dead after WW1. Originally kept on May 30, it was changed to the last Monday in May in 1971.
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., 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 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 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 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.
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. 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.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the
years. General Logan anticipated that this would happen as the
veterans of the Civil War died out, but veterans of other wars still
live on. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and
traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the
fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer
remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are
towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not
held a parade in decades. Some people incorrectly think the day is
for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service
to our country.
--- adapted from usmemorialday.org
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
The Kiwanis Club of Scott's Valley is a community service club and meets at the Heavenly Café in Scott's Valley on Wednesdays at 7 am. You are welcome to join us anytime.
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