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Today on Home Page, we reviewed the highlights of the special Memorial Day ceremony that took place in Wellsboro on Monday, May 28th 2018.

Memorial Day, not to be confused with Veteran’s Day is a U.S. Federal Holiday that is in place to remembering honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. The holiday was originally known as “Decoration Day” after the civil war ended in 1868. The Grand Army of the Republic, designated a special day to decorate the graves of the fallen with flowers.

Millions of soldiers have died fighting for our country in battle. Remember to honor and thank those who are serving or who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, not only on Memorial Day, but everyday. Let us never forget. God Bless.
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General John A. Logan’s Memorial Day Order

General Order
No.11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
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 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 this 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 the heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldiers 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 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 the 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 memory of the departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to their 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