I had no idea who John A. Logan was until I moved to Southern Illinois. An American soldier and politician, he was born in 1826. He died a little more than 60 years later. Logan was elected Illinois State Senator, Congressman, and U.S. Senator. He, on a ticket with James G. Blaine, ran an unsuccessful campaign for Vice-President of the United States. As a soldier he served in the Mexican-American War. He later became a General in the Union Army. Logan was the 3rd Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. To him has been given much of the credit in the establishment of Memorial Day. The first observance of Decoration Day, as Memorial Day was known, has been claimed by many locales. This morning, my husband and I attended an observance in the cemetery where Memorial Day is said to have been born. Harvey Welch, Jr., a former Student Affairs administrator at Southern Illinois University, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and former Rotary International District Governor, was the speaker.
Woodlawn
General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic was the document that established Decoration Day. It was signed on May 5, 1868 by General John A. Logan.
I. The 30th day of May 1868 is designate 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 by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their hearts 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 toils 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.
Carrying the flag of the 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry
If other eyes grow dull, and other hands black, 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 Springtime: 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 soldiers and sailors 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 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 therewith.
III- Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
I offer thank to all who have served in the military and have given the ultimate sacrifice. One of my long term goals is to begin a honor roll of fraternity and sorority member who have served.
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