Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-30
From Com-in-chief New
ius Of National 6. A. R.
In Relation to the Memorial.
Flag and Mothers Days.
Pertinent Suggestions and Instruc'
tions for Proper Observance.

WateIville. Me. April 29.-(SpeciaD.-
W. s. Heath Post, No. IA. G. A. r.,
has received the following orders from
the national headquarters at Red Bank,
y. j., concerning Memorial day, Flag
day and Mothers day, all of which are
to pc observed by the Post in this city:
Headquarters Grand Army of lthe Re
public.
Red Bank. n. j.. March Is, 1909
General Orders No. 6.
I. Memorial Day.
In 1868 Gen. John A. Logan, at that
time COMMUNICATIVE chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, promulgated an
order to the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, calling upon comrades to observe
the 30th day of May as Decoration day
to seek out every comrades grave
and to decorate it with the choicest
blossoms Of early spring time. Since
that time by legislative enactment the
3Oth day of May has become legal
holiday, under the title of Memorial
day.
This year the 10th of May occurs on
Sunday and the 31st of May will be OBJ
served as Memorial day. Should there
be posts who have already engaged
speakers and made arrangements to
hold public service on Saturday, May
20, they may do so if they cannot
change without great inconvenience.
FOR 40 successive years the Grand
Army of the Republic has observed this
Il icit ho Gil
ground where sleep our comrades. the
Nations dead. and honoring their
memory by garanding their passion
less mounds with flags and flowers
ana teaching the lessons of patriot
ism to all who may unite with them
and to the generation growing up
around them. Let us this year do our
full duty to those. who died that the
nation might liveH and with tender
hearts and loving hands honor their
memory.
Upon department and post COM
manders the duty rests of attending to
the fitting observance of the day. |
earnestly hope and desire that should
Confederate grave be found in any
camping ground visited by the G. A.
r. that his grave may not be passed
by bat that a flag and flowers be
placed upon it. The war is over and
peace rcigns and the Old Flag floats
over all and though he fell in the lost
cause. We're he living today he would
be found following the flag. Let us for
give as the nation forgavc those who
survived him.
Department and post commanders
are reminded of the fact that their me-
mortal exercises should include at
tendance upon Divine service in a
body Sunday evening. May 80. and that
all allied organizations be invited to
attend with them whenever practicable
This custom has prevailed for a num-
Der of years. and the commander-in
chief trusts that it will continue to be
observed.
Department commanders will direct
post commanders to invite all schools
+: thtii respective localities to hold
potliotic services on Friday afternoon,
preceding Memorial day. and that
comrades frcm each post cooperate
with tie teachers in this work.
Posts located upon oceans. lakes and
rivers. ~ill, whenever possible, join
With the auxiliary CORPS and allied or
ganlZHtlOnS III memorial service TO tne
ia,ilo" dead. which memorial service
~ i'll BE found on Pages a33 and 234 OF
he Journal Of the o2nd National Con-
IGNITION Of the Womcns Relief Corps.
ana on Pages 3SS and 3S9 OF the journal
Of the 18th National Encampment of
he G.. \. II.
The address Of President Lincoln at
gettysburg. Nov. 10. 1863. shall be read
II all Memorial day EXERCISES.
I'll" Wonels Relic: Corps, the La
lies of the q. A. T.. the Daughters of
Ate:ans. the Sons OF Veterans and
tE"ii auxiliary. Veterans of the Span
sh-Ameiican War and the Society of
he Army IT the Philippines. the schools
md al citizens. should b- invited, by
tie post in their locality to join and
participate in Memorial day exercises
with the Grand Army
e Flag Day.
At the 39,h National Encampment,
Grand Army of the Republic. held at
Denver, the Rules and Regulations
" ere amended as follows:
The National Encamrment hereby
the 18th day of June as Flag
day, to be observed by all members of |
the GRAND Army of the Republic an
nually in the display of the United |
"4it.s flag to commemorate the birth |
otS of the iiag on the date OF it's |