It is just a fact that we may associate the words Memorial Day with the beginning of summer, a day off work, family picnics, the pool, the beach, parades, cemetery flags, blooming flowers, deviled eggs, and potato salad. There is certainly no harm in those positive associations. If you are from Adams County the Gettysburg Memorial Day Parade, which is one of the oldest such parade/programs in the nation, is etched into your brain. This is especially true if you were a grade schooler at Meade School about 60 years ago, required to march in the parade from Meade School to the National Cemetery, and strew flowers in the National Cemetery as a marked day of school attendance. That evening my family would drive through the National Cemetery to see all the colorful flowers and then head out to the Twin Kiss on Emmittsburg Road, located just before the Peach Orchard, for a twist cone and frosted mug of root beer. Those are great memories!
It is also important that we take a few moments of reflection to consider the fundamental reason Memorial Day was created. Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a Memorial Day Order issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in Chief John A Logan in 1868. The modern proclamation called on Americans to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace. It is meant to be a somber day to honor those veterans that have passed. The practice of strewing flowers has been documented from Classical Roman times to western Europe in the nineteenth century. In 1873, New York became the first state to officially recognize Memorial Day.
Running continuously since 1867, the Gettysburg Memorial Day Parade & Program takes place Monday, May 27 at 2PM and concludes at the Soldiers National Cemetery with a touching and solemn Memorial Day ceremony taking place in the cemetery. Working for the National Park Service for 30-years, I had the pleasure and privilege of being an active facilitator and participant in that event every Memorial Day. It was certainly a special day! I hope that each of you combine the true meaning and pleasures of Memorial Day for a wonderful and meaningful holiday weekend!
Source: County Commissioner Randy Phiel