A Look Back at Memorial Day Origins

Memorial Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1868, although not officially. It started out as a way to honor those who died during the Civil War.

In a Cheyenne Weekly Leader, June 3, 1911: Memorial Day, May 30, 1911, is rendered notable in that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. On May 30, 1861, war actually had begun, although no great battles were fought.

Two months later the first Bull Run opened the eyes of the North to the struggle. Memorial Day originated in the mind of an unknown German, a veteran of the Civil war, who at one time lived in Cincinnati. He suggested a national memorial day, and to him belongs the credit of its inception.

It was promulgated by General Logan, third commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Norton P. Chipman, adjutant general of the national organization. The first order for its observation was issued in 1868. The first day was observed at Washington by appropriate services at Arlington cemetery. General Garfield was the orator of the day. Those who attended the ceremonies were General Grant, General Hancock, General Howard and General Elkln.

William Macabee, believed to be the oldest veteran of the Civil war, died since last Memorial Day, aged 107 years. Today there are eighty-four national cemeteries in which are burled 359,285 American soldiers and sailors.

The bitterness over the Civil War lingered in many peoples minds for years, but eventually most reconciled to the fact that we were, indeed, a united country and had one flag, the Stars and Stripes, as this article in the Sheridan Daily Enterprise, May 23, 1910, states:

Sheridan, Wyoming, Monday Evening, May 23, 1910, Memorial Day Declaration

“On fame’s eternal camping ground

Their silent tents are spread,

And glory marks with solemn round.

The bivouac o’ the dead.”

Let us be reminded that the approaching thirtieth day of May, 1910, marks the forty-second anniversary of the first Memorial Day order of the Grand Army of the Republic, promulgated by General John A. Logan, the then commander-in-chief of this noble order of citizen patriots, setting apart this thirtieth day of May as day of special remembrance of those who were soldiers of the grandest army the world has ever seen, but who now sleep in silent graves, the nation’s honored dead.

In ancient days the garland of laurel and olive was the crown of victory and triumph, but our kindly remembrance or “those brothers of ours” is shown in garlands of the beautiful flowers of May. While thousands of these old veterans have answered the last roll call and their ranks, year by year. are more and more rapidly decimating and soon the last “Old Comrade” of the G A.R. will answer to the roll call and reunite with all his comrades on the parade ground of Heaven, in presence of the Great Commader of us all, yet thanks to the liberty-loving heart of our grand American citizenship, that throb as one today In their devotion to the memory or our nation’s dead, they are coming up nobly, to perpetuate Memorial day, as long as the American flag, through countless ages to come, float proudly in the breeze.

Remember we are today a united nation, acknowledging one only flag. Thanks to the ameliorating Influence’s of time and the obtaining of broader and better patriotic sentiment, it is today the flag of the Southland as well us the Northland, and proudly waves over a united people. That the National Guard of Wyoming may join in these ceremonies of remembrance for our heroic dead, and emulate their patriotic devotion to country and flag, company commanders will assemble and tender the services or their commands on Memorial Day to the post commander of the G.A.R. at their home stations, or the local committee having the mortal exercises in charge, and take such part as may be designated, noted by proper authority.

In accordance with the United States Army regulations the national flag will be displayed at half-staff from sunrise tn midday. At noon the flag will be hoisted to the top or the staff and will remain there until sunset.

Although it started as a Civil War Remembrance, the two World Wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all those who gave their lives in service for their country. It wasn’t until 1971 that congress standardized the holiday as Memorial Day and set the observation to the last Monday in May, but there were proposals before congress for many years to make it a national observance.

In a Cheyenne Weekly Leader, June 3, 1876, WASHINGTON. Washington, May 20.—The chair laid before the Senate a communication from the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, District of the Potomac, asking that Decoration Day, May 30th, be observed as a national holiday, and inviting the Senate to participate in the ceremony of decorating soldiers’ graves.

There have been many observations of Memorial Day in Sheridan over the year. As in this article from the Sheridan Enterprise on May 28, 1910. There were still Civil War Veterans at the celebrations, but their ranks were thinning.

Grand Army of the Republic. The one day in the calendar dear to the hearts of the men who are privileged to wear the bronze badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, will be observed Monday in the customary manner in this city, as it will be observed in every place where there are enough of the “boys of ’61” remaining to carry out the custom of decorating the graves of the comrades who have answered their last bugle call, and who are recorded as “absent” when the muster roll is read.

And what a grand army of men it was that answered the call of the immortal Lincoln, whose tender heart bled and whose eyes were filled with tears as “the boys in blue” marched away to lay down their lives for their country.

We can see them now, the fresh faced boys from the farm, who emulated the example of their Revolutionary ancestors, and virtually left the plow in the furrow as they hastened away to the nearest recruiting office to enroll their names as volunteers; the artisan who dropped his tools at the first sign of dissolution of his country, and the professional man who left “his desk, locked his office, and placed on the door the sign, “gone to the war,” when the news was flashed to him that our country’s flag had been fired upon.

Young, brave, manly fellows they were as they marched away to lay down their lives upon many a battlefield, or to come back home after long years of strife, pale, emaciated and broken in health, some with an empty sleeve, but the patriotic fire of their eyes undimmed and their hearts as stout as of yore in their devotion to the grand old flag they had fought for and preserved inviolate.

And now as each recurring Memorial day comes round we find the ranks of this grand old army growing thinner and the column less long, while the snows of winter have whitened the once raven locks of the soldier boys, their eyes are dim and their shoulders bent, but when the first note of martial music is heard on Memorial Day, their early manhood and the fire of youth will be renewed In them, and with heads erect and shoulders squared, these gallant old defenders of the flag will be kings for a day.

All honor to the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, until the last of their line are laid away in mother earth, and then we will keep your memory green in our hearts, and hold your lives up as shining examples for future generations to follow.

During World War 1, this article appeared in the Sheridan Enterprise May 1917. To Honor The Soldier Dead Washington. D. C. May 29 — With ceremonies that will be given on added touch of solemnity and impressiveness by the situation now confronting the nation Memorial Day will be observed tomorrow on a more elaborate scale than ever before.

From the Atlantic to the Pacific the nations heroes will be honored by a loyal and loving people. From the time the sun rises over the hills of Maine until it sinks to rest beyond the mountains of California the vast extent of the land will echo -with the bugle call, the rattle of drums and the firing; of salutes. The youth of the nation will get their best lesson in patriotism when they lay a wreath of flowers on the stone that marks a soldier’s grave. Elaborate preparations have been completed for the observance in the national capital. Business will be suspended for the day, not only by the departments of the government, but also throughout the city. People of all classes will unite in perpetuating the memory of the heroic dead who in countless thousands sleep peacefully in the national cemeteries of the District of Columbia.

Often the haunting sound of “Taps,” is played over the graves. It is a military bugle call that is used at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.

Today, Memorial Day is considered the first holiday of summer, with grilling outdoors, the Lake DeSmet Fishing Derby, Sheridan area graduations, and travel.

In an ad from The Torrington Toggery: The Home of Hart, Schaffner & Marx Clothes; in the Goshen County Journal Torrington, on May 30, 1918, the writer laments this fact, and urges readers to remember just what Memorial Day is.

Memorial Day, May 30, 1918 At first, Memorial Day was a day of memories; the graves of the brave men who gave their lives in the Civil War were decorated with flowers; a sign that a grateful people had not forgotten the supreme sacrifice these men made.

Then the day gradually became a popular holiday, games, sports, picnics were more important than heroic memories; the original idea of the day was in danger of being lost. Now we have come to a time when Memorial Day can be, and should be, consecrated anew, when we may look back with reverence upon the victorious past, and forward with courage and determination to a victorious future. Let us make the day a time when we renew our declarations of loyalty to the great cause of which our county has always bee the foremost champion.. the cause of Human Liberty.

We shall do our daily work, whatever it may be, with a better spirit, if we keep that idea before us.

Today, in Sheridan, Memorial Day is not forgotten. There are several ceremonies around town, like this one by the Sheridan County Veterans Council, on May 30.

The Council invites community members to take part in Memorial Day weekend activities to honor those military members who have died during service.

According to their news releases, there are more than 1,700 graves at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery that belong to men and women who have served in the military.

Volunteers can join the Veterans Council starting at 9 am Saturday in the cemetery to place American flags on all of their graves.

Many people today not only honor those who died in the service to their country, but other who have died. Flowers are laid at the graves of friends and family members, and we remember how they graced our lives as well as remembering those who have protected our freedoms.