Memorial Day History

Memorial Day has been celebrated, in some way shape or form, since 1866, in an effort to commemorate fallen soldiers. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the Grand Army of the Republic the head of an organization of Union veterans, established Decoration Day on May 5,1868. This was a "time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers."

The first  large celebration of this holiday was held at the Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from D.C. the following is a quote from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

"The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Less. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns."

The beautiful description of the first grand celebration ignites a patriotism that all Americans should have. How will you pay respect to the fallen soldiers this year?