In honor of those who fought for our freedom until their dying breath,
we remember and thank them on this Memorial Day.
(unknown)
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The first Memorial Day was May 30, 1868, known as Decoration Day, to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War. Major General John A. Logan designated the day so flowers would be in bloom and could decorate the graves of those who died in the war.
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“This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home.
This is not Veterans Day, it’s not a celebration,
it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom.”
Tamra Bolton
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On the first Decoration Day, General (later President) James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.
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“Ceremonies are important.
But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops,
and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies.
We honor the dead best by treating the living well.”
Jennifer M. Granholm
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According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, “the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes” on Memorial Day.
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“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy
forget in time that men have died to win them.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
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In December 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act for Americans to pause at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to recognize the service and sacrifice of those who died in military service.
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“On this day, take time to remember those who have fallen.
But on every day after, do more;
put the freedoms they died for to greater and nobler uses.”
Richelle E. Goodrich