As we gather together this weekend to enjoy beautiful weather and time with family, we should have a clear understanding of what it means to observe Memorial Day. We here at Skeeters Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey want to take this opportunity to pause, remember, and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our many freedoms.
However your family celebrates, we should never forget that the purpose of Memorial Day is to honor and revere the many men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our great nation. As proud members of the Radcliff and Fort Knox community, our firm has spent its entire existence with our servicemen and women in our hearts and minds. Words could never express our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of others throughout our nation’s existence.
As it is a time of remembrance and reflection, the history of Memorial Day is important in understanding its significance.
Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, a group of people gathered in 1866 to decorate the graves of soldiers who lost their lives.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance, Decoration Day. During the first Decoration Day, which would later be commonly known as Memorial Day, General James Garfield spoke at Arlington Cemetery and a group of 5,000 volunteers decorated the graves of over 20,000 Civil War Soldiers. Each year groups gathered together on May 30th to decorate and honor those fallen soldiers.
In 1968 Congress passed the uniform Monday holiday act, which officially established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. Millions now enjoy the day by gathering with family and friends and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
We hope each and every one of you enjoy this Memorial Day weekend and stay safe. But please do not forget to pause for a moment and remember the fallen who have made possible the freedoms and privileges we hold dear.
God bless the members of our armed services, and God bless America.