As we look forward to the upcoming three-day weekend, the barbeques, picnics and family gatherings, it's important to remember the reason the holiday exists. Memorial Day is a time to remember, and give thanks to those who have died in defense of our nation.
Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, began almost 150 years ago, at the end of the Civil War. Family members began visiting the grave sites of their loved ones killed in battle to decorate them with wild flowers. While many communities claim to have begun this tradition, it was on May 5, 1868, that General John A. Logan officially declared May 30 as Decoration Day. He stated:
"... Let no wanton foot treat rudely on such hallowed grounds, Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism or avarice 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..."
Over the next hundred years, the tradition spread across the country, and in 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Communities celebrate this day through parades, ceremonies, and by placing flags, flowers, and other mementoes at the graves of the fallen.
To further ensure that our fallen heroes are not forgotten, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was signed in 2000. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time to honor those who had died in service to our country. I hope you will join me this Memorial Day, May 25, in taking a moment to give thanks to these brave men and women.
I will be speaking at the Memorial Day event in Brodhead, the information is included below. Here is a list of events going on across the district:
• Albany: Memorial Walk. 10:30 a.m. Begins at Albany School, concludes at the American Legion with a program.
• Belleville: Memorial Day Program. 10 a.m. at the Belleville High School auditorium.
• Brodhead: Parade at 9 a.m., starts at Veterans Memorial Park, proceeds to Greenwood cemetery, where there will be a program.
• Juda: Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at the Vernon cemetery. If the weather does not permit, it will be held at the Juda School.
• Monroe: Decorating grave sites at 7 a.m. in the Greenwood cemetery. Parade at 9 a.m., followed by a service at the Greenwood cemetery at 9:30. There will be a potluck at the American Legion at noon.
• New Glarus: Memorial Day parade will be held at 9:30 a.m. , with a program being held at the High School afterward.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, began almost 150 years ago, at the end of the Civil War. Family members began visiting the grave sites of their loved ones killed in battle to decorate them with wild flowers. While many communities claim to have begun this tradition, it was on May 5, 1868, that General John A. Logan officially declared May 30 as Decoration Day. He stated:
"... Let no wanton foot treat rudely on such hallowed grounds, Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism or avarice 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..."
Over the next hundred years, the tradition spread across the country, and in 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Communities celebrate this day through parades, ceremonies, and by placing flags, flowers, and other mementoes at the graves of the fallen.
To further ensure that our fallen heroes are not forgotten, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was signed in 2000. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time to honor those who had died in service to our country. I hope you will join me this Memorial Day, May 25, in taking a moment to give thanks to these brave men and women.
I will be speaking at the Memorial Day event in Brodhead, the information is included below. Here is a list of events going on across the district:
• Albany: Memorial Walk. 10:30 a.m. Begins at Albany School, concludes at the American Legion with a program.
• Belleville: Memorial Day Program. 10 a.m. at the Belleville High School auditorium.
• Brodhead: Parade at 9 a.m., starts at Veterans Memorial Park, proceeds to Greenwood cemetery, where there will be a program.
• Juda: Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at the Vernon cemetery. If the weather does not permit, it will be held at the Juda School.
• Monroe: Decorating grave sites at 7 a.m. in the Greenwood cemetery. Parade at 9 a.m., followed by a service at the Greenwood cemetery at 9:30. There will be a potluck at the American Legion at noon.
• New Glarus: Memorial Day parade will be held at 9:30 a.m. , with a program being held at the High School afterward.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
