As Memorial Day weekend approaches, I hope and pray that each of you will be surrounded with your friends and family. However far more than the time away from your daily work or even the festivities of the weekend, remember what the day truly is about and honor those who defended the nation with their lives.
From the original Memorial Day order:
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
General John A. Logan
General Order No. 11 of May 5th, 1868, Decoration Day
