Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember

While there is some dispute, credit is widely given to Union General John A. Logan for founding the holiday that we now recognize as Memorial Day. Meant to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, General Logan set May 30, 1868, as the day to decorate the graves of the Civil War soldiers who died in battle.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which took effect in 1971. President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law.

Congress even got into the act several decades ago by declaring that Waterloo, New York, is the birthplace of the holiday as several towns claimed to be the originators of Memorial Day.

There is also a “National Moment of Remembrance,” which President Bill Clinton signed into law in the year 2000, which designates 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day each year as the National Moment of Remembrance.

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of approximately 400,000 veterans and their eligible dependents, from the Revolutionary War to today’s conflicts, who are interred at Arlington. The Third U.S. Infantry Regiment (the “Old Guard”) places the flags at the gravesites of fallen soldiers at Arlington each year. This tradition started in 1948.

Here in Coshocton County, a drive throughout the county will reveal hundreds of small American flags placed at gravesites in cemeteries large and small. Many of these are from the Civil War and are a part of our history. Thanks to all those that take the time to do this so we can recognize and appreciate their sacrifice.

The Memorial Day holiday will most assuredly be different than last year when we were in the middle of the pandemic shutdown. Families and friends will be getting together to kick off the summer season with barbecues, ballgames and more. Whether you are traveling near or far, be safe and have fun.

The long school year of 2020-2021 is winding down with students being done by the time you read this issue of The Beacon and we want to extend a sincere congratulations to all of the seniors that are graduating from our area schools, Coshocton, River View, Ridgewood, Coshocton County Career Center, Coshocton Christian School and Home-Schooled students. There are also students in our readership area from Newcomerstown, Garaway, West Holmes and Tri-Valley. Congratulations to all of you and a sincere wish for a great future!

As with each school year, there are retirements and job changes in our local school districts. Best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement and to those that are moving to new roles, good luck in your new endeavors. The community is here to support you.

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion