From the US Memorial Day website, Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Over two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.
Regardless of the exact date or location of its origins, one thing is clear – Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a desire to honor our dead. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. “The 30th 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 churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.
On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.
I encourage all Pack 1910 families to engage in something meaningful this weekend to help instill in our Cubs a purpose for this day. Let's raise a generation that doesn't forget.
Take part in watching the National Memorial Day Parade. They will have a live feed streaming on YouTube. The parade is at 2pm EST. More on the parade can be found here.
Here is a Memorial Day Tribute you could watch with your family.
If you would like to do something local, at 11:00am CST at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery on Keller-Smithfield Road, the Keller Mt. Gilead Cemetery Association and the Rotary club are putting together their annual Memorial Day celebration. (The band starts at 10:30 am.) This is a one hour event inclusive of a flag retirement ceremony (conducted by Troop 1910 of First United Methodist Church of Keller.)
We have added to our Pack Calendar a special entry on Memorial Day. At 3pm -- no matter where you are, what you are doing or whose company you are sharing -- please stop and take a moment to gather your family and friends together to remember those who have fallen in service to our great nation. Memorial Day is more than a cookout, it's a time to be in thought for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice as well as their families. The National Moment of Remembrance is at 3pm. Unite with Americans everywhere to show that we have not forgotten that freedom isn't free. We are the home of the free BECAUSE of the brave!
Scouts and families, you are cordially invited to participate in the annual flag retirement ceremony at Mt. Gilead Cemetery.
Troop 1910 will be on hand to lead the services.
The event starts at 11:30 am, but you'll want to arrive sooner to ensure seating (I suggest you bring a chair and water).
Scout should be in full field uniform.
Once the ceremony concludes, hotdogs and drinks will be served.
Again, please come prepared for the heat. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and your own cold water!
If you have a personal flag you'd like to bring to retire, please feel free. No other flags will be burned tomorrow as I think Lucas Funeral Home will take them to retire with Veterans.
All families are encouraged to participate.
