Memorial Day In The U.S.

On Memorial Day, Obama Pays Tribute To Fallen -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama paid tribute on Monday to fallen men and women of the U.S. armed services during a Memorial Day ceremony in which he reminded Americans that the country was still at war.

During a solemn visit to Arlington National Ceremony, the resting ground for many military casualties, Obama noted in remarks to visitors that next year would mark the last Memorial Day of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

"But even as we turn the page on a decade of conflict, even as we look forward, let us never forget, as we gather here today, that our nation is still at war," Obama said.

Unlike World War Two or the Vietnam War, conflicts that touched nearly every American, today most U.S. citizens were not directly affected by the military conflicts overseas, the president noted.

Read more ....

More News On Memorial Day

Obama: Many Americans don't 'fully grasp' the sacrifice of soldiers -- NBC
President Obama in Memorial Day speech: Don’t forget those serving -- Politico
Obama offers salute to Korean War vets as Afghanistan War winds down -- CNN
‘Be worthy of the sacrifice,’ Obama says on Memorial Day -- MSNBC
Obama to nation: Don’t take U.S. troops for granted -- Salt Lake Tribune/AP
Memorial Day: Fallen warriors honored around USA -- USA Today
US honours war dead on Memorial Day -- BBC
US Observes Memorial Day to Honor War Dead -- Voice of America
On Memorial Day, a Reminder to Remember 'Profound' Human Cost of War -- PBS Newshour
A Nation ‘Still at War’ Honors Its Dead -- Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times
Memorial Day warning: Americans too distant from those they send to war -- Brad Knickerbocker, Christian Science Monitor
AP PHOTOS: Americans mark Memorial Day -- Washington Post/AP

A Tour Of Washington's War Memorials

An Image That Always Haunts Me On Memorial Day

The photo, taken by The New York Times’s Todd Heisler, while he was a staff photographer at The Rocky Mountain News in 2005. The night before the burial of her husband’s body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the coffin, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her. Associated Press/Rocky Mountain News, Todd Heisler

WNU Editor: For the complete story, go here.

Bugle Player On Why We Play "Taps"

From CBS News: "Taps" is one of the most somber, haunting songs associated with our nation. On this Memorial Day, WIAT-TV's mike McClanahan follows an Ala. bugle player to a memorial to learn more about "Taps" and what it means to him.

The History Of Memorial Day

The History Of Memorial Day -- Military.com

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

 Read more ....

US Observes Memorial Day

Soldiers salute as "Taps" is played during a military funeral nearby as they were placing flags on graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, May 23, 2013.

US Observes Memorial Day To Honor War Dead -- Voice of America

U.S. President Barack Obama will honor the country's war dead with an address Monday, as the United States observes its annual Memorial Day.

The president will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony before his speech at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside Washington, where soldiers have placed American flags on more than 260,000 graves.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, will also host a breakfast at the White House with families of fallen soldiers.

Obama used his weekly radio address Saturday to pay tribute to U.S. service members, saying Monday's national holiday is a time to remember those who died so that Americans "could know peace and live in freedom."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: WNU will be honoring America's war dead throughout the day with tribute videos and news reports.

Memorial Day -- The First Proclamation

HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day 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 church-yard 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.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or 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.

If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

Memorial Day Video Tribune