Memorial Day
Hudson, Michigan
Memorial day has always had a special meaning for the community of Hudson. From the civil war on we have given many a native son to our countries cause. The years after World War II with the sacrifices of that war still fresh in the memories of our citizens. The whole community would turn out for the memorial day services. By the time the parade got to the maple grove cemetery there would be a solid line of cars going all the way back to main street. Children would decorate their bikes and the Veterans along with the High School Band and the Boy Scouts and other organizations would march to the cemetery. The program for as long as I can remember has been organized and carried out by the Hudson American Legion. In some places in our country Memorial Day services were canceled for lack of interest. Not in the city of Hudson or by the American Legion. The service would open with the invocation and the keynote speaker. The band would then play a song or two usually starting with the National Anthem. Logan's Order and The Gettysburg Address would be read by two of our school students.
Logan's Order
General Order
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D. C., May 5, 1868
1,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 churchyard in the land, In this observance no form or 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 by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a 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 rounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found 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 free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and. other hands stack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime, 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 as sacred charges upon the 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 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 call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
111. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective,
By command of: JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-Chief.
The Gettysburg Address
by Abraham Lincoln
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Over the years we have made some nice additions to the service. The Chaplain from the Veterans of Foreign Wars would offer a prayer along with the other items listed below.
Chaplain
0, Thou Almighty God-guide these men and women we honor through every day and night. Give them unbounded strength and courage to continue their efforts for lasting peace. Make their victory a true service to all humanity Give them growing faith in Thy teachings.Make them Thy chosen servants-to carry on forever a victorious crusade against all evil forces seeking to destroy that which is just and good in the hearts of men. Help them to bring brotherly love to all lands. Bless and comfort those whom they have left bereaved. And, finally, 0 God, help us to increase our spiritual unity, and our love for all. In reverent humility we ask these blessings. Amen.
(Song: God Bless The U.S.A.)
My Flag and I Two of us this vigil keep with summer rain and winter snow. Month by month and year by year as seasons come and seasons go. Remember as you pass my grave I am not dead I can not die as long as you keep the faith we live my flag and I. Pity no, nay envy me my place against the morning sun so long as you guard us well we live my flag and I.
(The Singing of God Bless America)
The officer of the day would then turn the service over to the Firing Squad. This is the same service we use at Military funerals.
Prepare your salute to our departed comrades.
The firing squad would then fire three volleys.
Ready, Load, Aim, Fire.
And then the playing of taps.
Click on the bugle for taps
Then silence.
We are then left to contemplate the history of the hollowed ground upon which we stand. The dead, if they could speak, what would they say. Would they speak of battles past. The freedom for which they gave their life. Would they speak of four score and seven years ago, of brave men who have consecrated this ground far above our poor power to add or detract, of flanders field where the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, or would the young soldier that was laid to rest here proudly boast of my flag and I. Or would they say remember us as you pass our way, we are not dead we can not die as long as you guard us well, my flag and I.
