10TH Mountain- We remember the fallen and pray for the families.
http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/installation/pao/casualties/default.asp?local=all
Source:
http://www.aiipowmia.com/histories/histmemday.html
"War drew us from our homeland in the sunlit springtime of our youth.Those who did not come back alive remain in perpetual springtime -- forever young --And a part of them is with us always."
"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."
General John A. Logan in his General Order No. 11 of May 5th, 1868,Decoration Day
The first Memorial Day, also called Decoration Day, was held on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, New York, to honor soldiers who had fought and died in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–65). Businesses were closed and people decorated soldiers' graves and flew flags at half-staff. Declared a national holiday in 1971, Memorial Day now takes place on the last Monday in May, and marks the beginning of summer. Many communities have military parades, speeches, and picnics in honor of all those who served in the U.S. military forces.
Waterloo, NY claims to be the birthplace, and although officially declared so by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, it would seem that no one may truly lay claim to the tradition of remembering the War Dead by decorating their graves... from all accounts, it was a practice that sprung up in many, many individual towns both in the North and the South.
It doesn't matter who was first... what matters is that almost immediately the tradition was being practiced throughout the land and within short order it would become official. It is appropriate perhaps that the earliest accounts place the tradition in the loving and empty arms of the women left behind after the battle had ended.
The History of Memorial Day
Although many towns and villages in the North claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, the actual genesis appears to come from the women of the Confederacy who decorated the graves of their fallen husbands, sons, fathers and brothers. A Civil War hymn, published in 1867, is named "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet... its dedication simply reads..."To The Ladies of the South who
are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead"."Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping"
Words by G.W.R.
Music by Mrs. L. Nella Sweet
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, Dear ones days gone by,
Here we bow in holy reverence, Our bosoms heave the heartfelt sigh.
They fell like brave men, true as steel, And pour’d their blood like rain,
We feel we owe them all we have, And can but weep and kneel again.
CHORUS
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and
true,
Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can do.
VERSE 2:
Here we find our noble dead, Their spirits soar’d to him above,
Rest they now about his throne, For God is mercy, God is love.
Then let us pray that we may live, As pure and good as they have been,
That dying we may ask of him, To open the gate and let us in.
CHORUS
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and
true,
Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can do."
General Order No. 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic Washington, D.C.,
May 5, 1868
Decoration Day
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 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 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 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 command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General
Source:
http://www.aiipowmia.com/histories/histmemday.html
