In the spring of 1866 the United States was recovering from a long and bloody Civil War. Surviving soldiers came home, and all with stories to tell of what they seen, heard, and experienced first hand themselves.

A drugstore owner named Henry Welles in Waterloo, New York heard many of these stories, and felt deeply touched by them. He in turn, went to the other shop owners in town and convinced them that they should close for one day in May to honor the soldiers who were killed in the Civil War, and to honor those patriots of the Civil War who were buried in Waterloo cemetery.

On May 5th, 1866 the shop owners did not open their stores, and the townspeople gathered together and placed flowers, wreaths and crosses on the graves of the Northern soldiers in their cemetery.

At the same time Major General Jonathan A. Logan (retired), a very patriotic man, planned to hold a ceremony for the soldiers that survived the Civil War. He led the veterans through the center of town to the cemetery to decorate their comrades’ graves with flags.

Every May 30th thereafter the Waterloo townspeople would walk to the cemeteries and hold memorial services. They would decorate the graves with flags and flowers. Then they would walk back to the Waterloo Park in the middle of town and gather in the middle of the park near a monument solely dedicated to soldiers, sailors and marines. After that The Gettysburg address was read, followed by Retired Major General Logan’s (Order No. 11) designating May 30th as Decoration Day. After the announcement the village choirs would sing patriotic songs. Then that evening the school children would take part in a parade to honor these patriots.

One hundred years later in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed Waterloo the birthplace of Memorial Day, and in 1971 President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May thereafter.

Memorial Day is not limited to honor on those American patriots who served or gave their life in a time of war in our armed forces. It is also a day for remembrance of our family and friends that we personally know who have served or died in the name of our freedom, even if it is just done with a silent reflection of tribute from us. Some visit the cemeteries and say a prayer, add flags or flowers on the graves.

Many public events are held every year to honor our patriots through parades, celebrations, church services, television movies, and news commentaries to reflect and honor these hero’s. We must truly never forget the very high price that was paid by these veterans of service for each of our freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis. Memorial Day is a fitting patriotic way to honor our veterans, and should not be just another three day weekend before the beginning of summer.

On Memorial Day I personally pray to our Father in heaven to bless and protect our patriots that are currently in harm’s way, and to bless the patriots that have died or suffered in the name of freedom for our great country the United States of America.

I also ask the Lord, to continue to bless our country, and protect it against evil from those that would take away the freedoms in this great land of the United States of America.

I hope that reading this article will encourage you to show your patriotism this Memorial Day too!

Family-eStore will try to provide you with articles of interest to a Christian and patriotic way of life. The articles are written by Steven Coffman (Owner) of Family-eStore.com (National Essay Contest) winner 1969. I am a person with strong Christian and patriotic beliefs. Tenacity, faith, and a belief in God, Country and Family are key components to success in life. The Christian articles are only intended to bring you closer in your relationship to our Father in heaven.

The Patriotic articles are only intended to show pride and patriotism to our “Land of the free and home of the brave, (The United States of America).

I hope that you enjoy and are enlightened by them.