What is Memorial Day really about?
I admit to having a pet peeve that many Americans no longer have any clue what any of our holidays are really about. I believe this is due to the sustained and furious advertising and thorough commercialism we are endlessly exposed to. So, let me ask YOU this question – What is Memorial Day? Memorial Day as we celebrate it today was formally established by General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic in May of 1868, issued by General John A. Logan. There are several stories about where he got the inspiration to create what became a national holiday. At the time, the Civil War was only recently ended. Women, often windows or wives of veterans had taken up the custom of decorating the graves of their husbands and their comrades in arms with flowers and small flags. I think this may have simply been an extension of the custom of many countries and families to maintain and decorate the graves of their ancestors, often done in the summer. The whole family would attend and it wa
