Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
First proclaimed as Decoration Day on May 30 1868 by General John A. Logan, the observance spread and eventually became known as Memorial Day. In 1968 it was designated as a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May.
May 30th, which Memorial Day coincidentally falls on this year, was reportedly selected by General Logan because it was not the anniversary of any Civil War battle. General Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, declared the day was, “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.”
Memorial Day is a hallowed time to pause and reflect on generations of men and women who have paid the last full measure for family, for freedom, and for great causes.
We honor the heroes who have passed and their families and friends who have likewise sacrificed much.