Today is National Memorial Day and celebrated throughout most of the United States. At the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, perhaps the most famous Cemetery in the United States, the 3rd US Infantry carry out many of the most dignified tasks or remembrance throughout the year including of course the 24 hour guard over the Tomb of several Unknown Soldiers.
Every Memorial Day some 1,200 of their serving men and women perform their "Flags In" ceremony just before Memorial Day so that the 5,000 or more that annually visit on that day can see that the unit, the military and the country remember their fallen men and women from wars gone by. You can see above the soldiers march off to their "Flag In" duties at Arlington yesterday. They drive the pole into the ground that holds the national flag, and the regiment did this at over 250,000 grave markers. That was about 117 times per soldier.
Similar ceremonies are conducted at numerous cemeteries across the United states. The remains of fallen Canadians lie in thousands of these graves. About 2 dozen are at Arlington, half having been awarded the Medal of Honor.
We Canadians owe are friends in the United States, and the one million Americans that now live in our country, a very big vote of thanks for not only recognizing their own on this special day, but for also remembering the Canadians as well. Pick up the phone, like I did already today, to thank an American you know who lives in Canada for the efforts their brothers and sisters are performing on this special day of remembrance.
Many years ago Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday of May each year. By doing this the change created yet another long weekend to spend with family, to go on mini-trips, to work and play around the house. But in so doing all of these things the long weekend has eroded the real meaning of the day, one not for fun, but for reflection on the price paid by those who wore the uniform and died for their natural or adopted country.
The day was first conceived on May 8 1868. That was 145 years ago this month. On that date the Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, (noted several times in these blogs)
General John A Logan issued his famous order directing every member of his fraternal organization in every state of the country to take action.
Here is his order...
1. The 30th day 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. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice of neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude, -- the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III . Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
GAR posts existed outside of the US as well and there were even posts in Canada at Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Hamilton and Winnipeg and at many of the posts both in Canada and the US it was a Canadian who was instrumental in the post's formation. Many other Canadians served in many official capacities in many of these posts as well. There was even one woman... a Canadian from New Brunswick who served as a soldier and spy, and she became the GAR's only woman member. She of course was well recorded in history as Frank Thompson, but her real name being Sarah Edmonds.
GAR was closed on the death of its last member, in 1956 He was thought to be 110, but was just a child. He was only 106. hehe That fraternity has now been taken over by another most worthy group known as the Sons of the Veterans of the Civil War, and this group is most active in many parts of the US carrying on in the traditions of its forefathers.
Make your call today folks and thank an American for their continuing to honour country men and women. We ought to be taking lessons from them on doing much more for this group of men and women in our own country.