Remember the hot dogs, but never forget the heroes

[Kirk W]

From the publication, Stars & Stripes

Quote

Although we never seem to forget the hot dogs, pickle relish and cold beer for our Memorial Day cookouts, we tend to forget the underlying reason we get the day off to begin with. On May 5, 1868, Major General John Logan declared that flowers should decorate the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers of the Civil War at Arlington Cemetery, stating, “Let no 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.”

 

[Ray,IN]

We are still here to honor the fallen. Thank you  Kirk for your dedication and writing that check.

 

It began before May 30,1868, which was the official designation. https://www.history.com/news/where-did-memorial-day-originate  John Logan made it official.

Setting that aside; it is actually a very somber day for me, and likely for all other veterans. I do not watch parades or festivities for that reason.

Yesterday I placed flowers and a small flag on the graves within driving distance,of my great-grandfather(civil war)grandfather(WWI) 5 uncles- dad- father-in-law(WWII) and brother-in-law RVN, all deceased.