A1 VETERANS PRESS: The history of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. After the Civil War, many people in the North and South decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

In the spring of 1866, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, N.Y., suggested that the patriots who had died in the Civil War should be honored by decorating their graves. Gen. John B. Murray, Seneca County clerk, embraced the idea and a committee was formed to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead. Townspeople made wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast. On May 5 of that year, a processional was held to the town's cemeteries, led by veterans. The town observed this day of remembrance May 5 of the following year as well.  

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed officially May 30, 1868. The South did not observe Decoration Day, preferring to honor its dead on separate days until after World War I. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day, and soldiers who had died in other wars were also honored.  

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season in the United States. It is still a time to remember those who have passed on, whether in war or otherwise. It also is a time for families to get together for picnics, ball games and other early summer activities.

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Thanks to the Idaho Division of Veteran Services for providing this info in its April 2021 Bulletin.