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Honor Guard Column

HONOR GUARD DETAILS

The History of Memorial Day

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of former Union soldiers and sailors - the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) - established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery , across the Potomac River from Washington , D.C. The cemetery already held the remains of 20,000 Union dead and several hundred Confederate dead.

Presided over by Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant and other Washington officials, the Memorial Day ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. After speeches, children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

Memorial Day at Post 272

Here at Linglestown American Legion, Robert H Hoke Post272 the tradition continues. In the weeks before Memorial Day the graves of service men at the local cemeteries are decorated with American Flags. On the morning of Memorial Day our Honor Guard starts at daylight and visits these cemeteries and holds service rituals at each one. Before most of us are out of bed the echoes of rifle shots are heard in the hills and valleys surrounding Linglestown. After visiting all of the cemeteries a ceremony is held at the post and at the end of the parade a ceremony is held at the square.

The Parade

The parade starts promptly at 13:00 hours and proceeds through the streets of Linglestown ending at the square. This years Parade Marshall and main speaker will be The Honorable Ron Marsico and our Master of Ceremonies will be Marshall Edwrd. The parade is followed up by a reception at the park with free refreshments for all. We already have many committed entries to the parade and would welcome more. Information about the parade and how to submit an entry can be obtained by calling the Post Adjutant at (717)319-7898.

 Ed Hine, Honor Guard Captain, ret., temp.   

Ed Hine

717-545-5162

edhine@verizon.net