Thursday, October 1, 2026
It was called Decoration Day, proclaimed May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic in his General Order No. 11. “The 30th 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,” he proclaimed.
He chose the date because it was not the anniversary of any battle.
General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on the first Decoration Day, and 5,000 people decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.
New York was the first state to recognize Decoration Day in 1873.
Memorial Day we gather with family and friends, and we have a day off work, thanks to Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971.
Island Park held its parade on May 28, a bright sunny day.
Grand Marshal Robert “Bob” Wilson, an Island Park resident since he was 11 years old, said he has attended at least 90 percent of the parades that the village has had. “Island Park has a very strong sense of community,” he said, “It’s very humbling. It’s a great community and a great honor, and one of the highlights of my life.”
In his speech Wilson reminded those gathered that 58,000 people went to his war, Vietnam, and never came back. “People say ‘Happy Memorial Day’, its not happy, Memorial Day is a day to remember honor and enjoy your freedom. Remember because of those people you have the day off. Freedom is not free, cherish it, and relish it, then it makes some sense ⎯ if you don’t do that then it’s a waste.”
Commander of the Island Park VFW Post 1029, Joe Aniano, reminds us to take a moment amid the parades, the speeches and the barbecues to remember what Memorial Day is about.
“Today we have the 150th Memorial Day, set aside in 1866 to honor, remember and decorate the graves of those who died in the civil war.
There have been many wars since then and many more have died.
To those families who loved ones died in service to our county we extend our condolences. We cannot fathom the depth of your grief but we share your sorrow and mourn you loss.
Your sons and daughters did not die in vain and they did not die for glory. They died so that the principals of human dignity, individual liberty and the mastery of right over might could triumph against tyranny.
Lets begin anew the quest American has always faced.
Our generation and future generations must not forget the noble principals for which they made the greatest sacrifice.
Lets us never forget them, let every day be a Memorial Day.”
