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| Ross United Methodist, Marengo |
Many places claim to be the origin of Memorial Day. Pennsylvania lays claim to the birthplace of Memorial with the town Boalsburg is one of those places that claim they were the first to celebrate the day now set aside for honoring those who have served.
While many have forgotten the origins and the traditions of Memorial Day, some places still take the time to honor the dead who have served our country. Originally the celebration was to honor those who fought in the Civil War, it has adapted to remember all soldiers who have served in all wars.
The small congregation of Ross United Methodist Church continues the tradition of decorating the graves of those who fought. Traditionally, the women of the church have met on the Saturday before Memorial Day to prepare flower bouquets for the graves of the soldiers buried in the Ross Cemetery. On the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, the local VFW comes out and the flowers are placed on the graves of the soldiers, followed by the firing of a salute and the playing of Taps.
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| The grave of Michael Rhodes, Civil War Veteran |
In honor of our soldiers who have served over the years, today I present a speech delivered in 2006 at the Memorial Day Service at Ross United Methodist Church.
Thank you coming out this beautiful morning to celebrate with the Ross (United Methodist) Congregation as we decorate the graves of those who have served.
I'm honored that I've been asked to share a couple words with you this morning as a part of the annual Memorial Day Celebration here at the Ross Church and Cemetery.
Many places call themselves the birthplace of Memorial Day. From Charleston, South Carolina to Columbus, Mississippi from just down the road in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania to Waterloo, New York -the official birthplace of Memorial Day - all of them have claimed to be the first to decorate the graves of the fallen Civil War soldiers.
Newspapers from the late 1860s suggest that Confederate widows were the first to decorate the graves of the fallen and this took place before the end of the war. While the Civil War raged on, a small group of grieving women - mothers, wives, daughter, sisters and other loved ones - were cleaning the graves of their recently fallen Confederate soldiers in Friendship Cemetery at Columbus, Mississippi and would place flowers upon those graves. While cleaning the graves of the Confederate soldiers, they noticed nearby a number of graves belonging to Union soldiers that were overgrown with weeds. Grieving their own fallen, the women understood that these Union soldiers were the cherished loved ones of families and communities far away. They cleaned the lots, along with their own, and placed flowers upon the graves of the Union soldiers.
The tradition of decorating the graves of the Civil War dead quickly spread throughout the communities of the northern and southern states. The idea of honoring the dead on both sides of the great conflict was a gesture of healing and reconciliation in a land ripped apart by war.
Sadly, the day set aside to remember the fallen dead has been forgotten by the younger generations. The parades that celebrated our soldiers who fought for us have been silent and no longer fill the streets. The graves of those who have served are forgotten and often not decorated with flowers. The ceremonies celebrating and honoring the dead have been replaced with picnics, reunions and unfortunately with work in many cases. In short, Memorial Day has become just another day for many.
But in the small towns of America, the day has not been forgotten. In the rural communities, the dead who have served are remembered and still honored. Taps are still played and the honor guard still fires salute.
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| Grave of Robert Reeder, Civil War veteran and wife, Eliza |
That is why we are gathered here this day. We come to celebrate and remember the lives of those who have served in all wars. The flowers have been placed on the graves of those who answered when their country called them They have given their all to ensure the freedoms we too often take for granted.
We gather to remember our brothers, our forefathers, our friends, and our loved ones. They served to defend our nation and ensure the freedoms we enjoy every day.
In all honesty, the words I say this day will probably be forgotten by the time you get home, but the deeds of these men - these loved ones - buried here on this sacred piece of ground will never be forgotten.
Thank you for joining us and I ask that you would please remove your hats as we have a moment of silence followed by a salute to those who served followed by the playing of Taps.
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| John W. Wrye, Civil War Veteran |
This Memorial Day, amid the busy schedules of a three-day weekend (for most) I ask that you take a moment and remember those who have served this country to allow you the freedoms we all celebrate.
And to our veterans, both living and dead, thank you for your service.
