The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1908-05-21
G. A. R. ORDERS FOR
MEMORIAL DAY

Portland. Oregon, April %, 1908.
General Orders No. 8.
l. Forty years ago Gen. John A.
Logan, of glorious memory, issued the
following general order establishing
Memorial Day. and the 26th annual
encampment of his department at its
session at Newberg directed it be read
as part ot the exercises of Memorial
Day, by every post in the department.
Headquarters Grand Army of the Re-
public, Washington. d. c., May
8, 1868.
General Orders, No. IL.
/. The 30th day of May is desig.
mated for the purpose OF strewing
with flowers, or other wise decorating,
the graves OF comrades who died in
defense OF their country during the
late rebellion, and whose bodies now
lie In almost every city, village and
hamlet churchyard in the land. In
this observance no form of ceremony
Is prescribed, but posts and comrades
will in their own way arrange such
lifting services and testimonials OF
respect as circumstances will permit.
We are organized, comrades, as oui
regulations tell US, for the purpose.
among other things, "of preserving
and strengthening those kind and ira
ternal feelings which have bound to-
gether the soldiers, sailors and ma
rines who united to suppress the late
rebellion. What can aid moie to
assure this result than by cherishing
tenderly the memory OF our heroic
dead, who made their breasts a barri-
cade between our country and its
foes? Their soldier lives we're the re-
veille OF freedom to a race In chains,
and their deaths the tattoo of rebel.
lious tyranny in arms. We should
guard their graves with sacred vigi-
lance All the consecIated wealth
and taste of the nation can add to
their adornment and security is but
fitting tribute to the memory OF her
slain defenders. Let no wanton foot
tread rudely on such hallowed ground.
Let pleasant paths invite the coming
and gcing OF IeveIent visitors and
fond mourners. Let no vandalism OF
avaIice or neglect, no ravages OF time
testify to the present or to the CON-
ing generations that we have forgot.
ten as people the cost Of free and
undivided republic.
ii other eyes grow dull and other
hands slack, and other hearts cold in
the solemn trust, ours shall keep 1t
we'll as long as the light and warmth
Of life remain to US.
Let us then, at the appointed time,
gather around their sacred remains
and garland the psssioDl less mounds
above them with the choicast flowers
of spring time; let US raise above
them the dear old flag they saved
from dishonor; let us in this solemn
presence renew our pledges to aid and
assist those whom they have left
among US, a sacred charge upon a ma
tion's gratitude-the soldiers and
sailors widow and orphan.
IL. 1t is the purpose OF the CON-
mander in chief to inaugurate this
observance with the hope that it will
be kept up from year to year while a
survivor of the war remains to honor
the me ory of his departed comrades.
He earnestly desires the public press
to call attention to this order and
lend its friendly aid in bringing it to
the notice of comrades in all parts OF
the country in time for simultaneous
compliance Herewith.
Ill. Department commanders will
use every effort to make this order
effective. By command OF
John A. Logan,
Commander-in-C Chief.
N. P. Chipman, Adjutant Gen eral
IL. The department commander does
not presume to add anything to the
eloquent words OF our great command
er-in-chief. wishing only to say that
May 30, 1908, will be OBJ
served with the usual services as Me-
mortal Day, and urging upon all,
both comrades and loyal citizens, a
general and reverent observance OF
the day, which TO. forty years has
been kept in honor of our noble dead.
lie would remind all that this day Is
not q holiday in the usual sense of
that term, but rather holy day, to
be kept in loJiDg remembrance of
those heroic souls who gave up. all
men hold dear, for their country and
i feg.
Ill. The department commander
heartily oommends to the comrades
the beautiful custom of strswing flow
ers on the waters in loving memory OF
the brave men of the navy, who sleep
in the "deep unfathomed caves" OF
the sea.
". Post commanders are urgently
requested to arrange for services in
the churches OF the department May
"a, the Sunday preceding Memorial
Day. Let the comrades of the differ
ent posts make SPECIAL effort to at
tend these services, thus showing
their respect for the day and their
loyalty to the supreme commander,
as we | as to 'beir country and its
flag.
'. The posts are urged TO give spec
ial attention. to the work OF visiting
the public schools during the week
preceding Memorial Day. There is no
more important work than that OF
teaching patriotism to the children
and youth of our country, and there
IS no way IN which it can be SO edec-
lively performed as in going to the
9 hool buuses and talking to the
young people. Let US not forget that
the time for work is short, "for soon
t nt.ht comeih, when no man can
work."
VI. Post mmanders ala reminded
thst the reading Of Lincoln's Gettys-
burg address should be feature OF
the exeici es held in observance OF
this day.
VII. Each post chaplain is request
ed to send promptly to these head.
quarters full report of Memorial
Day exercises.
By command of
s. Il. Blythe,
Official, Department Commander.
G. A. Williams, Adjt Gen.