By Staff
This Memorial Day weekend holiday will be filled with cook-outs, swimming, watermelons and family time for many in the area.
Although we do encourage family time at any time, this particular holiday is about more than having fun.
Memorial Day was established originally under the name “Decoration Day” and was first widely observed on May 30, 1868. Through the years the true meaning of the holiday has been lost, or at the very least, misunderstood.
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic organized the first observance of the holiday. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
We hope that those who have an opportunity will take the time to remember the reason for the holiday.
Honoring those who have fought for freedoms of Americans and other nations should be a top priority for this day.
Remembering and honoring those who lost their lives to give us the right to celebrate any holiday in any way we choose, is the least we can do.