Memorial Day 2008
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise 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 church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest 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 nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-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 memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.
Bush Pays Tribute to Troops on Memorial Day – Associated Press
Bush Urges Americans to Honor Holiday’s Meaning – John Kruzel, AFPS
This Memorial Day – Washington Times
Honoring life on Memorial Day – Mike Mullen, Washington Times
Fallen But Never Forgotten – Blackfive, Blackfive
Reflections by Frontier 6 – Frontier 6, CAC Blog
Promises to Keep – COB6, Blackfive
Reflections by Frontier 6 – Jack, DoD Live
Memorial Day 2008 – CJ, A Solider’s Perspective
Missing – Jules Crittenden, Forward Movement
The 173rd Airborne in Vietnam – Blackfive, Blackfive
Thank You From Those Left Behind – Blackfive, Blackfive
Roundtables: Memorial Day Edition – Grim, Blackfive
Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen – Laughing Wolf, Blackfive
Memorial Day and Dog Tags – Phillip Carter, Intel Dump
Mullen Cites Importance of Remembrance in Memorial Day Message – AFPS
To Live with Honor – Joseph Morrison, National Review
Saluting Those Who Serve – Ed Feulne, Washington Times
Memorial Day – Baltimore Sun
The Dead We Honor – New York Post
The Fallen Live On – Boston Globe
Memorial Day 2008 – Austin Bay, Washington Times
How We Can Really Honor Our Veterans – Joe Galloway, McClachy News Service
Forgotten Heroes – Ed Sherwood, Washington Times
Mystic Chords of Memory – Mackubin Thomas Owens, National Review
The Gates of Heaven – Blackfive, Blackfive
A Weekend to Remember Them – Joseph Rehyansky, Human Events
Returning Meaning to Memorial Day – Bret Schulte, US News & World Report
Burial at Arlington – Douglas Stone, Human Events
Let Us Remember Them – Colbert King, Washington Post
Protesting the Antiwar Protestors – Kevin Ferris, Wall Street Journal
The Last Doughboy – George Will, New York Post
On Memorial Day – Los Angeles Times
His Family Chose to Serve – Mac Thornberry, Washington Times
Ross McGinnis: Medal of Honor – Chuck Simmins, America’s North Shore Journal
Where They’ve Been, What They’ve Done – Cannoneer No. 4, CIIDG
Memorial Day – Herschel Smith, The Captain’s Journal
Memorial Day – Eagle1, EagleSpeak
Memorial Day – Maj Pain, One Marine’s View
Why Didn’t We Listen to Their War Stories? – Edward Lengel, Washington Post
Washington Set to be ‘Thunder’-Struck – Jennifer Harper, Washington Times
Memorial Day Book Suggestion – COB6, Blackfive
Funeral Duty – William Troy, Washington Post
Remember to Remember – William Kristol, New York Times
Arlington Burial: Fanfare, Precision – Karen Goldberg Goff, Washington Times
Five Best Works of War Poetry – Wall Street Journal
Vietnam Wall: Personal, Searchable – Washington Times
