Memorial Day 2023.

This is from a note I sent to our group –

On this ‘Memorial Day’ eve, I wanted to alert you to two items that were in the papers. One in The Republic and the other in the Indianapolis Star.

The article in the Indianapolis Star – A look back at the forgotten history of Memorial Day. This was from Richard Gardiner of Columbus State University writing for The Conversation. It was first published in 2018. (link if above does not work for the original, not exactly what appeared in the paper- https://www.commonlit.org/en/texts/the-forgotten-history-of-memorial-day)

Memorial Day was ‘borrowed’ from the Confederate States. It was established in 1866 then adopted by the United States in 1868. Credit for establishing the holiday is attributed to General John A. Logan- who at the time was in charge of the largest Union veterans’ fraternity, the Grand Army of the Republic. The first Memorial Day services were in Columbus, Georgia when the graves of both Union and Confederate dead were decorated. This was mostly done by women. A quote from a northern newspaper, ‘ The action of the ladies on this occasion, in burying whatever animosities or ill-feelings may have been engendered in the late war towards those who fought against them, is worthy of all praise and commendation.’ The first Memorial Day was May 9^th, 1866, and per the Cleveland Daily Leader – ‘The act was as beautiful as it was unselfish, and will truly be appreciated in the North.’

The piece goes on to talk about a poem written by Francis Miles Finch as he was moved by all this – The Blue and the Gray.

Item #2 – Closer to home

The editorial in The Republic – Memorial Day fitting time to recall America’s history. (link https://www.therepublic.com/2023/05/28/editorial-memorial-day-fitting-time-to-recall-americas-history/) It starts …. Many of us on this Memorial Day weekend will honor our loved ones who are no longer with us. Many of us will also honor the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country so that we may enjoy the freedoms and liberties that we as Americans hold dear.

It goes on to mention how we’ve been humbled (in the paper) to carry several stories about local people who are keeping alive our nation’s and community’s history in different ways.

The editorial talks about the Revolutionary War. Then a nice segue to the Civil War.

‘Meanwhile, a local group (us) is also working to honor local soldiers who fought for the Union during the American Civil War.’ It goes on to mention us as John B. Anderson Camp #223 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Our discovery of so many more who sacrificed their lives and efforts ‘to establish a fitting memorial in their honor’.

It ends – May we never forget.