Memorial Day 2009

HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. 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 church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of 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 cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the 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 fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If our eyes grow dull, 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 to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; 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 a sacred charge upon a 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 that 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 lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

Commander-in-Chief Pays Memorial Day Weekend Tribute to US Military Old Army Buddies - Michael Auslin, Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052202023.html

Those Who Make Us Say 'Oh!' - Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124293579117244481.html

They Died for You - Rick Atkinson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09144/972099-109.stm

Remembering Bataan - Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/24/remembering-bataan/

Roots of Memorial Day Run Back to the 1860s - Hayley Peterson, Washington Examiner
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Roots-of-Memorial-Day-run-back-to-the-1860s-45876847.html

What are the Origins of Memorial Day? - Seattle Post Intelligencer
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Roots-of-Memorial-Day-run-back-to-the-1860s-45876847.html

Observing Memorial Day - Larry Abeldt, Abilene Recorder Chronicle
http://www.abilene-rc.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=6BB71226-19B9-E2F5-46DD93CFB4FC4B5E

What Does Memorial Day Mean to You? - Tabatha Hunter, Benton County Daily Record
http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/73695/

What Patriotism Means to an American Citizen on Memorial Day - Johnnie Godwin, The Tennessean
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090524/OPINION03/905240339/1008/OPINION01/What+patriotism+means+to+an+American+citizen+on+Memorial+Day

Let Us Honor the Best and Noblest of Us All - Spartanburg Herald Journal
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20090524/NEWS/905241054/1132/OPINION?Title=Memorial-Day-2009-Let-us-honor-the-best-and-noblest-of-us-all

Honor Their Sacrifice - Doug Chapin, Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/opinion/commentary/

Memorial Day Roll Call Salutes 148,000 Veterans - Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hQEwwRNmHfk8RKa9tebzDjynz4ngD98CC1VG1

Obama Pays Memorial Day Weekend Tribute to US Military - Kent Klein, Voice of America
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-23-voa13.cfm

Memorial Day 2009 - McQ, Blackfive
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/05/memorial-day-2009.html

A Word of Caution - Greyhawk, Mudville Gazette
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/032071.html

How Not to Celebrate Memorial Day - Uncle Jimbo, Blackfive
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/05/how-not-to-celebrate-memorial-day.html

Tibor Rubin - Greyhawk, Mudville Gazette
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/003596.html

Memorial Day 2008

Memorial Day 2008

Band of Brothers

http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2009/05/memorial-day-2009/