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LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tim Seip |
  
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Memorial Day Origin and Observance
As we approach and rightfully celebrate Memorial Day, I feel it’s important for us to remember those who gave so much to our great country and Commonwealth.
Following the Civil War, various communities
started having memorial services for the war dead. From most accounts, the city
of Waterloo, N.Y., was officially recognized as the place where the first
Memorial Day services were held after the Civil War.
The issuance of General Order No. 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic was the
document that established Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it also has been
called, as a nationwide observance.
Over time, Memorial Day has become an extra day on the weekend to get away or to have a picnic to "celebrate" the day with just a casual thought, or no thought at all, to the true purpose and meaning of the day. How to provide the proper level of honor for the brave who gave, sometimes with their very lives, for America since 1775 is sometimes difficult to realize.
How do we thank them and their families for their sacrifice? We have hundreds of other days to celebrate and enjoy the freedoms and life that we have because of their sacrifice and service. Only by our actions of respect can we repay those who have come before us. I ask that we take just one day to remember those who fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.
"Memorial" should be re-emphasized this year on Memorial Day. A re-energized observance of the day as it was originally intended would be extremely welcomed this year.
Decoration of the graves of the fallen, visits to their memorials, attention to the ceremonies taking place and supporting the care of the cemeteries that these brave men and women now rest in – these things are what should be valued this Memorial Day.
I want to thank all our veterans past and present and their supportive family members. We owe so much to all of them.
Respectfully,
Rep. Tim Seip
125th Legislative District