Decoration Day dates back to the 1860s, when local groups from the North and South laid flowers on the graves of the Civil War soldiers who fell in battle. The name Memorial Day was used with, or in place of, Decoration Day over the next few decades, and after World War I, the day came to honor veterans from all wars, not only the Civil War. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national holiday, to be observed the last Monday in May.

On May 30, 1868, a crowd of more than 5,000 gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for the first Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day). Before strewing flowers upon the graves of the dead, the crowd listened to an address by President Garfield, then an Ohio congressman who had served as a Union major general during the Civil War. In this first of such annual addresses at Arlington National Cemetery and across the nation, Garfield set a standard by explaining what Decoration Day is all about and why it should be commemorated.

“...Hither our children’s children shall come to pay their tribute of grateful homage. For this are we met to-day. By the happy suggestion of a great society, assemblies like this are gathering at this hour in every State in the Union. Thousands of soldiers are to-day turning aside in the march of life to visit the silent encampments of dead comrades who once fought by their side. From many thousand homes, whose light was put out when a soldier fell, there go forth to-day to join these solemn processions loving kindred and friends, from whose heart the shadow of grief will never be lifted till the light of the eternal world dawns upon them. And here are children, little children, to whom the war left no father but the Father above. By the most sacred right, theirs is the chief place to-day. They come with garlands to crown their victor fathers.”

Everyone celebrates memorial day in their own ways. This Memorial Day as we place flowers, wave American Flags, and gather as families, let us remember those brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the principles and freedoms of this nation. They are truly patriots. Thank you to all who serve in our armed forces.