Memorial Day - a day to remember those who died for Freedom

This day was originally called 'Decoration day', a day of remembrance for those who died in our nation's service. There is evidence of women's groups in the South decorating graves before the end of the Civil War.
Memorial day was proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, National Command of the Grand Army of the Republic in his General Order No. 11, "...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mound above them with the choicest flowers of springtime..let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude, ..the soldiers and sailors' widow and orphan.
It was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Government at one time declared the holiday on the last Monday of May. But since 1999 a bill was introduced to restore the day back to the date of May 30th, and has not been acted upon.
For other interesting information about the US Memorial Day, one can visit www.usmemorialday.org