Memorial Day, first known as Decoration day, was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, and was a proclamation from General John Logan, head of the GAR.....Grand Army of the Republic.... an organization of Union veterans..... sailors and soldiers....of that very American war, our civil war... On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that: The 30th 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 churchyard 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. This celebration was an offshoot of various local ones that had been taking place in both the north and south, in the 3 years since the end of the war. Several towns, in both north and southern states, claim to have been the first, but in 1966,President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day....seemingly more because of the elaborate local celebrations held there yearly, than because it had held the first. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May, to honor those who died serving their country....Veterans day is celebrated the last Thursday in Nov, to honor ALL who served, not just those who died. On a personal note, if you ever have an opportunity to be in DC for Memorial Day, you'll find it a very moving experience. Thousands of motorcyclists (upwards of 10,000) make the ride to DC from the West Coast and all points east, and converge on the Vietnamese War Memorial, for most of these fellas were Vets of that terrible war. They come to reminisce with others who have shared the same experience, honor their dead comrades, and use their very presence as witness to the fact that the fallen have not been forgotten. So, don't forget to think of them today. Sandra