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.
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 his honor; 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.
Memorial (Decoration) Day created by the Grand Orders No. 11, Washington, D.C., May 5 1868
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 his honor; 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.
Memorial (Decoration) Day created by the Grand Orders No. 11, Washington, D.C., May 5 1868
4 comments:
There is nothing more important than honoring those who dedicate their lives to protecting us.
On this Memorial Day, 2009, I paused and reflected on that day back in May 1966.
On that Memoorial Day, my unit sustained terrible losses in Vietnam.
I write about that day and many other days during my first tour there in that war.
The book is now out of print, but I have published it here for anyone interested in reading it.
Dan Francis' Book Online.
And, yes, it's free. Enjoy.
~ dmf
Glad I caught up with this site today . . . haven't been on in awhile. Dan, want you to know I read your book again! To IV bloggers/readers, take time to read - 'Last Ride Home'. It's informative, moving and you will better understand why Danny is Danny.
Thank-you for your service to our country DMF. And Dan, you're really not a bad guy. While I tend to disagree with you sometimes, I respect and enjoy your willingness to put it out there!!!
Cheers to you ~ Carolyn Fitzpatrick
Carolyn: Wow, what a surprise.
Thanks for kind words. It was my honor (and duty, sorta) to write the book and tell the stories for so many who died and couldn't tell their own.
Glad you enjoyed it (and hopefully, so did Jim)?
Disagreeing over political issues is as American as apple pie - getting the tough stuff done once all the finer points are resolved is the ultimate goal ... and you do a pretty good job at that.
Thanks again for the note.
~ dmf
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