Dear Editor:
Monday, May 30, is a national holiday officially proclaimed by Gen. John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868. It was first observed when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War I, the holiday changed from honoring those who died fighting the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died fighting any war.
Therefore, the last Monday of May has been declared as Memorial Day in order to recognize all servicemen and women who have served their country in an honorable and courageous manner.
An act of gratitude and memory by the family members and the public is observed on Memorial Day services to be conducted by American Legion Post #56. Flags have been placed on the gravesites of each and every service member buried in Bradford County and across the nation as well.
Memorial services will be conducted Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m. at Charles Schaefer Veteran’s Memorial Park on East Call Street in Starke. Wreaths placed at the ceremony were donated by the local Downtown Merchant’s Association.
Did you know? The Memorial Day Foundation sponsors holiday wreaths to honor American service members in overseas cemeteries each holiday season. The American Battle Monuments Commission maintains 25 permanent American burial grounds on foreign soil: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. They honor 124,908 US war dead; including 30,922 of World War I, 93,236 of World War II, and 750 of the Mexican War.
Raymund Hunt
Adjutant Post #56
