Memorial Day
“If silence is ever golden, it must be here beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung.” Quote from then congressman James Garfield, expressed on 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery.
Going through my memories of past Memorial Days, my mind brought me back to 2001. My husband and I were were walking along South Michigan Ave. in Chicago when we saw a parade and people laying wreaths at the base of a statue, that was located in Grant Park. I’d walked past that statue hundred of times and really never noticed it. I stopped a Veteran selling red poppies to ask what the significance of the statue was.
“Madam, this statue is in Honor of General John Logan. We celebrate Memorial Day every year at this location to remember the Union soldiers and sailors who fought and died in the Civil War. After the war, veterans formed the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization. As its commander, Logan issued General Order No. 11, creating Decoration Day, which today is called Memorial Day.”
“Yes, I recall learning this when we visited the Chicago Cultural Center, which used to be the old library. There is a room called The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall. It is dedicated to honor the Illinois Union Veterans.” I suddenly envisioned this room from a previous exploration of the city. “Tell me more if you can.”
“Of course, the GAR, the Grand Army of the Republic, began as a social organization but soon became political, fighting for pensions. General John A. Logan, who fought along side General Grant in the Civil War, is the reason we celebrate Memorial Day. But in 1868 it was called Decoration Day because of the tradition of decorating the fallen soldiers graves with flags, flower wreaths and candles”
“I have another question, if you don’t mind. Why are you selling red paper poppies?”
“Ah, yes the red poppies,” he looked down at his hand where he had a bouquet of them to sell, ” I am a Veteran, we use the red poppies to raise money for living veterans. The poppies have two meanings, the first meaning occurred because of John Logan. He felt May 30th was the best day to honor the fallen soldiers because it was the time when the flowers were at their best to decorate the graves. And second, because of a poem by John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”: This poem was written because of a battle in France during WWI. I remember the first line “In Flanders Fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row…” Our new friend looked so pleased with himself, and he continued, “The red poppies represent remembrance and hope. Do you want to buy one?”
We applauded him and purchased two poppies. But I had one more question.
“Why is John Logan on a hill? Chicago is flat.”
General John Logan
“Yes, that is a funny story. At the base of the statue is a tomb. John Logan was to be buried here. But his wife said, “NO”, she had him laid to rest in Washington D.C.”
I always thought of Memorial Day as the start of summer. The day is marked with retail sales, families going to the beach, barbecues, and when I was younger “golf tournaments”. But now I am learning the meaning of Memorial Day is more sobering. It is a day that dates back to the end of the Civil War in 1865 and continues to today. So many men and woman have given their lives to maintain our freedom.
I used to confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. Veterans Day is held on November 11 because WWI ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The difference is: Veterans Day honors everyone who has served or is still serving in the military, whether they served in wartime or died in battle. Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service to the country. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 which moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May and it took effect in 1971. Memorial Day is a floating federal holiday.
I recall after 9/11 the survivors, families and first responders opposed making September 11th a federal holiday. They felt the commercialization would diminish the day. Congress designated Sept. 11 as “Patriot Day” a day of mourning and remembrance. On this day flags fly at half staff and there is a moment of silence at 8:46.
I live in Puerto Rico now and I have learned that Memorial Day honors Puerto Rican soldiers who died in U.S. conflicts from WWI through Iraq/Afghanistan. Over 200,000 Puerto Ricans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and Puerto Rico has one of the highest rates of Medal of Honor recipients per capita. I give tours of statues in Old San Juan. In the Plaza called Covadonga. There’s a memorial to honor all the men and woman who have given theirs lives to help America. So many wars…
So rather than say “Happy Memorial Day” perhaps say “Have a meaningful Memorial Day.” And pray that we never go into another war that will take the lives of our families.