Memorial Day...Not Just Another Holiday May 25, 2009 By Tom
Barrett A three day weekend. An excuse to barbeque. Time with
family. An extra day off. These are all Memorial Day means to
most Americans. Some take a moment to wonder what the holiday is
all about. A few honor those whose memory the day was set aside
for. But most just think of Memorial Day as another holiday.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It is a
national day of remembrance for those who died in the service of
our nation. It is a day to honor their memories. While over two
dozen cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, it
probably had its roots in the many towns and villages where
women's groups set aside special days to decorate the graves of
those who died during the Civil War. It was officially
proclaimed by Army General John Logan on May 5, 1868, and was
first observed on May 30 of that year by the placing of flowers
on the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers interred at
Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial