Local Woman Honors Veterans: Part I By Pattie Story McClung, Pittsburg, Texas As May arrives, I find myself pondering on the true meaning of Memorial Day. Sadly it has somehow been "lost" with many of my fellow American's. So. I pose this question ... "What does Memorial Day mean to you?" It hurts me to think that many American's think of Memorial Day as a 3-day weekend to kick up their heels at area lakes, at the beach, hike in the mountain, have family BBQ's and just have a good ole' time. To some, it is a time to clean Cemeteries and decorate the graves, to honor their loved ones who have died. For me personally. it has many meanings that ALL bring a tear to my eyes, a tremble to my lips and a huge lump in my throat. To me it is a day of remembrance of all the soldiers that have fought for our country, for those that gave their lives for our freedom and for those, like my Dad, who were lucky enough to make it home to their families but forever changed by the war they fought and all that their tender young eyes beheld. A time to pray for our current active Military, as I do each day, that are still fighting to protect us . Many are in harms way. Personally, I will always remember that on Memorial Day, 1978, my nephew Rodney L. Sawyer (15) was killed by a drunk driver and his friend Jerry Francis (13) died 3 days later from the injuries of the accident. But let's take a look at the TRUE meaning of Memorial Day. Originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. A day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. While over two dozen cities and towns lay claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day, there is evidence that Southern women were decorating graves before the Civil War ended. In fact, there was a hymn published by Nella L. Sweet in 1867 " Kneel Where Our Loved Ones Are Sleeping" which seemed to carry out their dedication. Officially, Waterloo. N.Y. was declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in May 1966. It is VERY difficult to prove the origin of the day. General John Logan's 1st proclamation on May 5, 1868, National Commander of The Grand Army of The Republic, in his General order #11, when flowers were laid on the ground at Union and Confederate Soldiers graves at Arlington National Cemetery. The 1st state to officially recognize the holiday was N.Y. in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all Northern states. The South, however, refused to recognize this holiday, and honored their dead on separate days until after WWI when at that time Congress passed the National Holiday to honor not just the Civil War dead but ALL the American's who did fighting in any war. This is The Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L.90-363) to ensure a three day weekend to all Federal workers. Several Southern States have an additional day for honoring their Confederate War dead, such as:
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