Birthday of a special day

When the sun peeped over the horizon today, May 30, it was the start on a date that has had special meaning for the last 150 years. On that day, May 30, 1868, a tradition began that has been part of our culture for a century and a half and which is an important part of our culture today. It's Memorial Day. A day to honor those men and women who have served in the nation's armed forces to guard and secure our freedom.

What? You say? Memorial Day was a couple of days ago, Monday, May 28. It was observed as part of a weekend, three-day holiday, a federal holiday. That is true. But when the observance began, and which tradition has carried on for several generations, Memorial Day was on May 30, no matter on which day of the week it fell.

It all began 13 years after that infamous Civil War ended May 26, 1865. A Union Major General, John Logan, who headed The Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Civil War veterans, issued a proclamation declaring May 30, 1868, as an official "Decoration Day."

Decoration of the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers had been observed in many areas of the country, on no specified day. It was because of Logan's proclamation that finally, in 1971, the holiday date was changed to the next-to-last day of May each year. Congress officially made the change and gave it the name "Memorial Day." That name had evolved over the months and years as families and friends continued the ceremony of decorating graves of those who had given their lives in the defense of the good old U.S.A. What began honoring Civil War vets now honors all who have protected our freedoms.

Following the end of World War I, the American Legion became the major promoter of Decoration/Memorial Day. Today, as a National Holiday, the holiday is observed in many ways with parades, programs, speeches, etc., but always with the theme of honoring all who have served in the armed forces.

Decoration/Memorial Day assumed another secondary name following World War I. It became known as "Poppy Day." Disabled vets from that war made bright red poppies from crepe paper. They were sold, and in some areas are still being sold, with all proceeds going to aid disabled vets. Area children in Eagle Observer country also assisted in the sale for many years. Are the poppies being sold in the area today? I wonder.

Down through the years Decoration Day -- that's what it was called when I was a child -- evolved into a family get-together time, when several families would hold reunions which involved basket dinners, lots of visiting sessions and, of course, visits to cemeteries where their loved ones rested. Do these events still occur? Do you remember them?

I remember my first Decoration Day, which was before the beginning of World War II. In the May day of 1940, the family get-together was held at the home of my grandparents, the Heckman family, in Sulphur Springs. The group gathered in a house which was built on the site where the first school was held in that community. When I drive past that house, it always brings back memories of the bunch of us little kids running around, getting acquainted and waiting for the goodies to be spread on a big dining room table. There was always an abundance of veggies and ... well, you can imagine ... but the kids were served first. Each was given a big chicken drumstick. Then we were all shooed outside where our fun continued. The old folks -- many of them in their 20s and 30s, old folks to my generation -- gathered in chairs on the shady lawn and spent the afternoon, or at least a long time, talking and sharing stories while filling in family information to other family members who hadn't seen each other in several years. It was quite a party. I can't remember when the decoration part fitted in, but I know it did.

The next May, 1941, was the last time such an event was held. Yes, there were drumsticks for us kids that year too. I can still almost taste one of those big free-range chicken drumsticks which had been rolled in flour and fried in a big iron skillet, probably in lard, possibly home rendered from butchering. Today's KFC and other not-free-range-chicken drumsticks can't hold a candle to those ... you know what I mean. One would really taste good today, wouldn't it?

The War ended the big family get-togethers. But it didn't stop Decoration Day, or Memorial Day, which many began to call it. I remember later trips to several area cemeteries where homegrown flowers would be placed on graves. It seems there were always roses from a big rambling rose bush that seemed to bloom every year. I can remember my mother would use iris fronds to form a fan shape background on which she would place those roses which, by the way, had the stickiest stems I've ever seen. They would be placed on my grandparents' graves. Of course, besides the graves of veterans, those of other family members and special friends were always remembered. There weren't any artificial wreaths or flowers during that era.

Today when you drive past a cemetery, especially those by rural roads, you will notice they are kept mowed and maintained by those who have loved ones there. During the past few days, on a drive past any of those graveyards, you could probably see they were well kept with lots of decorations, as well as flags on the veterans' graves.

Cities and towns usually maintain their cemeteries, but it is the love and dedication of volunteers, through their efforts and with donations that small rural cemeteries are maintained. Volunteers, usually ladies, probably sat at cemeteries where they were able to receive the funds required for the many summer mowings and maintenance. It is through their efforts and the generosity of friends that on every Memorial Day these special sites continue to be the peaceful plots they are. If you visited or have loved ones in rural cemeteries, here or anywhere, it is through your giving they can remain peaceful resting sites. Your help is always needed and deeply appreciated.

I strayed from the topic of this 'cuff: Decoration/Memorial Day. But we as a people are all entwined from our past, our present, and all share in thankfulness for all veterans, as well as for the lives of all who have gone before to give us the great land we have.

Memorial Day or Decoration Day? The name means so much. But it is all the sacrifices of all who have gone before who deserve remembrance. Not only with flowers and flags but with loving memories of events that made our today possible.

Dodie Evans is the former owner and long-time editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.