Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; where several towns planned or had spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapping into the general human need to honor our dead. Memorial Day was originally and officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day:

• Mississippi: Last Monday in April
• Alabama: Fourth Monday in April
• Georgia: April 26
• North Carolina: May 10
• South Carolina: May 10
• Louisiana: June 3
• Tennessee (Confederate Decoration Day): June 3
• Texas (Confederate Heroes Day): January 19
• Virginia: Last Monday in May

The Poppy - Where Did It Come From?

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Famous Military Leaders who were Masons

Beyond George Washington and many of his staff in the War for Independence, I thought it appropriate to note:

Jones, John Paul - First Admiral of the US Navy

Lafayette, Marquis de - Supporter of American Freedom

The following were men who served their country after the establishment of Memorial Day, although not an all-inclusive list; I thought each represented an important element of history:

Arnold, General Henry "Hap" - Medal of Honor recipient and American general whose efforts helped establish what is now the U.S. Air Force. Commander, Army Air Force in World War II.

Bradley, Omar N. - Military leader

Byrd, Admiral Richard E. - Flew over North Pole

Doolittle, General James - American Army officer and aviator, he led the daring raids on Tokyo.

Lindbergh, Charles - Aviator

MacArthur, General Douglas - A former US Chief of Staff, he commanded the Allied Forces in the South Pacific during World War II. He promised the Filipino people "I shall return" to save them from the occupying Japanese Forces. He was ultimately removed from military leadership by another Mason, President Harry S. Truman.

Marshall, George - American soldier, diplomat and politician. He served as Secretary of State from 1947-1949 and organized the European Recovery Plan most often referred to as the "Marshall Plan" for which he received the 1953 Nobel Peace Prize.

McClellan, General George B. - Army of the Potomac, Presidential candidate against Abe Lincoln, faced General Robert E. Lee at the battle of Antietam and twice Governor of New Jersey.

Murphy, Audie - Most decorated American Soldier of WWII, he also achieved fame as an actor in movies (Westerns). An autobiographical movie was made of his heroic combat exploits. He was active and interested in Freemasonry as this page on this excellent website about his life explains.

Peary, Robert E. - First man to reach the North Pole (1909)

Pershing, John Joseph - ("Black Jack") American Army General who led the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. In 1921, he was given the rank of General of the Armies, a rank only conferred once.

Pickett, General George E. - Commanded the Confederate lines at the US Civil War battle of Gettysburg and led the final assault.

Rickenbacker, Eddie - American aviator who was the most decorated combat pilot of World War I and later became president of Eastern Airlines.

Roosevelt, Theodore - Hero of the Spanish-American War, Governor of New York, Vice President and when President (and Mason) William McKinley was assassinated, he became the 26th President of the United States. Winner of the Nobel peace prize.

Tirpitz, Alfred Von - German Naval officer responsible for submarine warfare

Civilian Military Leaders Who Were Masons

Many of the world's great civilian military leaders have been members of the Fraternity. Sir Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and President Harry S. Truman were all Freemasons. During the fight of the Second World War, Truman made a special appearance in the newsreels being shown in movie theaters all over America. He said, in part:

"At this very moment, in foxholes and on shipboard, beneath the sea and in the air, countless hands are being clasped in fraternal recognition of each other in darkness as well as in the daylight. And countless fathers, bravely wishing God-speed to their departing sons, are saying 'boy, when your hour of darkness and loneliness comes, find a Freemason, and tell him you are the son of a Freemason, and you'll find a friend"

General Douglas MacArthur once said:

"Freemasonry embraces the highest moral laws and will bear the test of any system of ethics or philosophy even promulgated for the uplift of man."

During World War II so many young men wanted to join the Fraternity before going overseas that Lodges in the larger cities often worked 24 hours a day, six days a week conferring the three Degrees of Freemasonry.

Why was it so important to these men to join before they went into battle? For one thing, they knew if they didn't come back, there would be help for their widows and children. Masons take care of the wives, widows, and orphans. But they also knew it was just as Harry Truman said - anywhere in the world they might be, even in a hostile country, they would find friends and brothers.

Changes in the Observance of Memorial Day

I grew up in a family and a town where Memorial Day was a huge event within the community. My Grandfather founded the local American Legion, after returning from WW I. My father, grandfather and Uncle were instrumental in the building of Beverly's American Legion Hall. I was given my official Sons of the American Legion's membership card on Memorial Day 1954 and rode in the parade in a car in my Mother's arms as a three month old infant. So for me the understanding, meaning and experience of Memorial Day have deep roots.

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Many people have forgotten how important it is to fly a flag on this day to remember the dead and honor those that have served. We are fortunate in Pennington to have a community that still attempts to embrace the essence of the day with a parade. Trenton Cyrus Lodge is fortunate to have a Memorial to our fallen heroes, that will be part of the Memorial Day celebration - at about 10am on Memorial Day the local American Legion will place a reef at our memorial and perform a short ceremony - we will join them this year.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to "Taps."

I ask you to join me this Memorial Day, whether you be at my home for our post parade picnic or that you are your family and friends celebrating the day in your own particular fashion - to pause at 3pm and remember those men and women that have served our country well and provided the opportunity for us to observe the holiday as we see fit. And most importantly, take a moment to remember those men and women who can't be with us today for they are now protecting our rights and privileges - "May God Bless them, Watch over them and Bring them back to their Family and Friends safe, so that we might find a way to honor them in the future".

Citation information:

Merchant, David M. "Memorial Day" (1994).
http://www.usmemorialday.org/