Memorial Day History In Honor of Garland M. Jarvis & Earl S. H. Salvason, Larry's uncles, who bravely served our country

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo - which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866 - because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Read Senator John McCain's story - The Pledge of Allegiance.

Send a FREE e-card on Memorial Day:

•   www.123Greetings.com

American Patriot - Lee Greenwood - This CD is a rousing and timeless call to American patriotism. American Patriot contains all the patriotic favorites that bring to mind the sacrifices made by Americans over these past two and one quarter centuries - from the minutemen of Concord to the men and women in uniform today, each is accorded honor. And each is warranted our respect and praise for the price they have paid to keep our country free. Includes the popular, "God Bless the U.S.A."

	The Memorial Day Book Shelf - Featuring a listing of more than 30 books, both non-fiction and fiction, about the history of Memorial Day and other related topics.
	Visit Larry's Book Store for a large selection of "relationship" books, music and more.

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