The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-25
MEMORIAL DAY SIGNIFICANCE
Paper Prepared BY Lady officer Of the
Local Grange.

aP~f ftfs'tt ~ -"tJ 0''s~~' - 49,
Local Grange.
Memorial day, unlike any OF the
other holidays. was intended simply
as day OF mourning for our coun-
try's heroes. A solemn reminder OF
the shortness of life and the terrors OF
war. AS an annual occasion II
brings before the mind the attendant
circumstances of the price of liberty
to this country. Memorial day
should rouse to new activity, patriots
impulse and pride In our country.
Coming as Il does at the season OF the
year when nature rouses herself from
the sleep OF winter and the forces OF
life which are In her bosom begin a
new period of activity. II should teach
us the lesson that life triumphs again
over death.
The true origin of Memorial day is
slightly obscure. II has been well
said that II II had not been for the
Grand Army Memorial day would new
err have become so general an obser-
vance. The Grand Army OF the Repub
lie was formed soon after the Civil
war by Major Il. II. Stephenson OF II.
lInoIs, an army surgeon.
The idea OF an association OF Civil
war veterans was given TO DR. Step
henson by his close friend and com.
rade, Chaplain William J.. Rutledge.
The first GAR post was formed In
Decatur. ILL.,. In 1866 and the first nat
ional assembly OF the new order met
AT Springfield. ILL.,. In July OF that year
the frst national encampment being
held n few months later. Two years
later Gen John A. Logan who had be-
come commanderin-chief. issued his
famous order establishing Memorial
day, which as IL may be seen, In
nearly as old as the GAR itself. But
Gen Logan was not the first person
to think OF decorating soldiers
graves with flowers. II Is said an
Ohio regiment OF Cincinnati went out
In a body 20 decorate the graves OF
their departed comrades one bright
spring day and 20 hold n service In
their memory at their graves and a
soldier OF the regiment told Gen Log.
an about II.
And again the women ofthe South.
ern states are given me credit OF
first conceiving the idea OF decorating
soldiers graves with flowers OF spring.
Just after the war they went out and
put flowers on the graves OF the dead
heroes and In the sweet spirit OF sym.
patty did not omit these loving tokens
In any cases from the graves OF those
Who had been opposed In the conflict.
The idea OF decorating the graves OF
dead soldiers seems TO have sprung
~ as.nueuuaouaiV Ia many nlaoaa NJ
about the same time. The records
tell OF a federal memorial service as
early as May ~. 1866. By Gen Murray
nc Waterloo. n. Y. who on the morn.
ing OF that day called n company Of
veterans and decorated the graves OF
departed comrades with fitting cere.
monial
Yet with all these varied local ser.
vices held AZ different times u Ii prob
able that 90 Gen Logan and the GAR
belongs the honor OF instituting Mem.
orial day as n national observance.
Memorial day began with the simple
custom OF strewing flowers on the
graves Of soldiers. who had died In bat.
tie and holding a service OF prayer
preaching and singing: but as time
NANN'NH AMt IANNAalA VI hnI aaN NaN
tie and holding n service OF prayer
changed a great deal. The veterans
themselves have added new features
iargcd idea 20 make the day an op-
portunity for the incubation OF patri.
jtism. The public schools almost uni.
scrsally have exercises the day before
the regular Memorial day. Then
,aere are fag raislngs aud presenta.
ions which are an outgrowtn OF the
main purpose OF the day.
The Grand Army Of the Republic
aud the woman's Relief Corps do
much 10 provide schools and public
buildings with flags and the beautiful
and welcome gifts are frequently pre-.
scnted on Memorial day. Children
are being taught that the sleeping sol.
dicrs OF the centuries brought liberty
io life In this country and they are
learning that the heroes dead made
tho flag alive.
A beautiful new feature OF Memorial
day observance II the custom OF
strcwlng flowers ON the waters In
memory OF those who died on the bat.
tlcships and were buried az sea. This
custom originated In the thought Of
Mra John black OF Illinois River at
Peoria. Flowers are carried 90 the
shores and placed on the bargcs from
which they are thrown 90 the waters
with the music OF the requiem.
Tho Woman'a Relief Corps n the
good right arm OF the GAR and enters
into all lta work. The society was
found nj the national encampment Of
Denver IN 1883 By the husbands, faith.
crs and sons who felt that the women
must help them 10 minister 10 the un.
fortunate In the ranks. 10 train the
young 20 patriotic service and 10 car,
~ the sweet tribute Of flowers on the
anniversary OF Memorial day.
knowing that the time would come
when the last Union soldier would
pass away. the Grand Army has or.
ganlEed the society OF Sons OF vcter.
ans TO carry out ita great plans for
the preparation Of fraternity. charity
and loyalty among the nations patri.
OTIS.
The daughters too have begun the
good work and are now organized 10
help In the great enterprises OF patrl'
otlsm and charity OF the older bodies,
With all these organizations Of which
many Changers are all ready mem.
bcrH. Let ua unite our strength and
help carry on the good work with all
our hearts for love. OF home and
country.
II. w. l.