Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day to mourn and honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War 1; when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war. It is now celebrated on the last Monday in May

Sadly, when Congress made Memorial day into a mandatory three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for us to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day.

You don't have to know anyone personally, who gave their life in the service of her/his country. Just take a moment to appreciate the memories of those who have.

A day to remember; with great respect, the men and women who paid for our freedom.