Under sunny skies and a gentle breeze, a small crowd gathered at Rose Hill Cemetery near Callaway to remember. To pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the preservation of our nation’s freedoms.

While various sources cite different dates and locations for its origin, it is commonly agreed that the tradition of Memorial Day began following the Civil War, sometime between 1866 and 1868.

Charleston, South Carolina, is widely credited with being the first to have such an observance.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it was a way for devastated communities to honor fallen Civil War soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. The tradition was established nationally in 1868, and later expanded to include all military personnel who died in service.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of the Union veterans' group known as the Grand Army of the Republic, officially declared a nationwide Decoration Day. He selected May 30, because it was not the anniversary of any specific Civil War battle and ensured spring flowers would be in bloom.

The poppy became a symbol of remembrance in the aftermath of World War I, largely inspired by Canadian doctor John McCrae’s 1915 poem 'In Flanders Fields'. The American Legion adopted the red poppy as its official memorial flower in September 1920, establishing it as an official emblem of remembrance.

Prior to the Memorial Day service at the Callaway cemetery on Monday, May 25, members of American Legion Post 50 and the Callaway American Legion Auxiliary put up flags, decorated soldiers’ graves, and erected small white crosses. Post 59 Commander Dale Estergard presided over the program.

The guest speaker for the event was Callaway’s own Ken Pitkin.

He shared about the importance of the holiday and encouraged all to never forget the “fallen heroes” who gave their lives to protect our freedom. Pitkin also challenged everyone present to continue to instill the tradition of honoring Memorial Day into the next generations. Cont. PAGE 8: Memorial Day