On this day in 1868, a group of veterans led by Major General John A. Logan officially established Decoration Day which has become what we know as Memorial Day. The veteran's graves were decorated with flowers and General Logan read his orders.
Below is a reading of General Logan's Orders.
Today we place flowers and flags at each veteran grave. When we place the flag we take one step back, salute, and say their name. There is an African Proverb -
"As long as you speak my name I shall live forever"
Are you memorializing a veteran today? I am. Today I am remembering several people who perished as a result of war, but I am expressly remembering my high school friend USMC Lance Corporal Robert Willaim Cottenier who was killed in action while on patrol in the Quang Nam Province, South Viet Nam just 2-weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Bobby, as we all called him, can be found memorialized on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Washington DC on Panel 26E Line 256. Whenever I'm in DC I visit him and others.
I want to note something...there were others who have participated in wars that may be overlooked or clumped into the overall bundle labeled veteran. These are combat theater nurses, Merchant Mariners (who are vital to wartime resupply efforts) & The US Coast Guard.
Today a gathering of veterans and citizens memorialized our Georgetown, MA deceased veterans. We visited each of the 3 cemeteries in town, prayed, commenced a 21-gun salute, and played taps. We also paid homage at VFW Park where we remembered a comrade who passed this past Friday.
Never, ever forget those who gave all so others can enjoy freedom.
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