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.
Old Army Buddies - Michael Auslin, Washington Post
Those Who Make Us Say 'Oh!' - Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal
They Died for You - Rick Atkinson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Remembering Bataan - Washington Times
Roots of Memorial Day - Hayley Peterson, Washington Examiner
What are the Origins of Memorial Day? - Seattle Post Intelligencer
Observing Memorial Day - Larry Abeldt, Abilene Recorder Chronicle
What Does Memorial Day Mean? - Tabatha Hunter, Benton County Daily Record
What Patriotism Means to an American Citizen - Johnnie Godwin, The Tennessean
Let Us Honor the Best and Noblest of Us All - Spartanburg Herald Journal
Honor Their Sacrifice - Doug Chapin, Washington Times
The Dead We Honor - New York Post
Legacies of War Dead Endure - Rick Hampson, USA Today
Memorial Day Roll Call Salutes 148,000 Veterans - Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press
Obama Pays Memorial Day Weekend Tribute - Kent Klein, Voice of America
Grief and Honor at Arlington Cemetery - James Key, USA Today
Rolling Thunder - Michael Ruane, Washington Post
Memorial Day 2009 - Washington Post
This Memorial Day - New York Times
Being True to Our Values - Philadelphia Inquirer
Sterling Memorial - Bob McManus, New York Post
Memorial Day 2009 - McQ, Blackfive
A Word of Caution - Greyhawk, Mudville Gazette
How Not to Celebrate Memorial Day - Uncle Jimbo, Blackfive
Tibor Rubin - Greyhawk, Mudville Gazette
Comments
Today is just a day like any other day, except it is set aside to remember the sacrifice of the members of our military, as if those sacrifices should go forgotten the rest of the year. So I take introspective time throughout the day, and listen to the stories on tv, read about the stories on blogs, and realize that I am taking in the accounts of the best that humanity can offer. There are no better Human beings. Not because of the heroic exploits, but because human beings gave it all for someone they never knew. The selfless act of offering up your life, for others, is what makes us human and not animal. I hope others remember this day, and honor our military personnel because of their selflessness, which helps define who we are as Americans.