Assorted Extracts From Local Newspapers Concerning Memorial Day Celebrations
And List Of Where The Soldiers Were Buried
In several early papers, it's recounted that the idea of decorating the graves of soldiers fame from a solider of the German Army who came to America about the time the civil war broke out. He joined the army, and served throughout the war. About the time the war ended, he remarked that it was the custom of Germany to scatter flowers of the graves of soldiers once a year. In 1868, Logan issued the order above, and it is Logan that the newspapers throughout the 1920s credited with the origin of Memorial Day.
Each year, in all of the local papers, there would be columns listing the many family members in town for the holiday. Stores would frequently stay open late on Friday nights, and close completely on Saturday. There would frequently be two days of ceremonies, parades, and trips to cemeteries.
Here's a few examples of what the early Memorial Days did look like, from our local newspapers & old photos, As with so many of the posts on this site, this is "in progress", and I will continue to add photos & stories as I come across them.
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Allenwood PA
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1907
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Danville PA
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"As a matter of fact, there are twenty eight Montour County boys sleeping in the fields of France or in the cemeteries near their homes, whose lives and deeds every loyal and patriotic American should aid to commemorate on Memorial Day, along with those who fought in the civil war."
"As usual, the Sons Of Veterans... and other organizations are invited to fall in line with the veterans when they march from the Hall to the Park where the exercises will be held. It now devolves upon the citizens of the county to show their full appreciation of the significance of this Memorial Day, as never before, and not only contributing flowers but lending support in every way necessary to insure success"
May 14, 1919 The Danville Morning News After the ceremonies, the paper reported:
"There was a scarcity of of flowers, it is true, but the public came to the rescue of Goodrich Post, and in the end it was found that there were enough flowers to give every grave its customary bouquet."
"The parade was led by one hundred soldiers of the World War, preceded by the Citizens Band, and followed by the Veterans of the Spanish War survivors" and "school children marshaled by their teachers, at least one thousands in number". The civil war veterans followed in 14 automobiles.
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Lewisburg
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In 1912, the Lewisburg Journal reported: "While strewing the graves of the departed heroes in our own cemetery here is an impressive and solemn ceremony, still the trips to the rural cemeteries by the thin ranks of "the boys in blue" to lay tributes of love and memory tenderly on the silent tombs of comrades long since lulled to sleep is even more impressive. There silence seems to reign supreme and all nature seet so pay reverence to the proceedings." and in another column, the order from the headquarters of the Grand Army Of The Republic were published:
"Forty four years ago, May 30 was set apart as Memorial Day, with the hope that it be kept from year to year while a survivor of the Civil war remained to honor the memory of his departed comrades. Year by year the number of survivors becomes smaller, and year by year the number of graves to be strewn with flowers becomes larger. Forty thousand newly made graves are to be decorated this year on Memorial Day."
The flags were all to be at half mast in Lewisburg, and the bells of the churches and the firehouse "would be tolled from 12:00-12:05... comrades will stand with bared heads during this five minute period, while their minds turn back to the stirring times of the 60's as they recall the episodes of battlefield and camp"
The Civil War Monument was dedicated in a ceremony on the 4th of July, 1901. The railroad ran special excursion trains to Lewisburg that day. Two local churches served luncheons before the ceremony, and local citizens provided ice water.
Vandals damaged the seven-foot statues and they were removed and stored in the county courthouse basement for more than 25 years. In 1995 when funds were raised to
complete their restoration, and a big 4th of July celebration was once again held in Lewisburg.
On July 4, 1995 (50 years after the end of World War II) the monument was rededicated and renamed the "Union County Soldiers and Sailors Monument" in honor of all veterans of military
See more 4th Of July Celebrations In Lewisburg Here:
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Mifflinburg
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Mifflinburg, 1914
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Milton Pa
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In 1910, nearly 200 survivors of the Civil War and their sons "marched with martial airs" to the Lutheran Church in Milton,where they listened to a "patriotic and able sermon by Re. J. M. Reimensnyder, on Sunday morning. The roll of the thirteen comrades who had died since last memorial day was called amid tears and silent sorrow.
At 1:30, twenty two gaily decorated touring cars filled up with old veterans to visit the rural cemeteries and place flowers on the graves of the soldiers buried in each. A different minister made an address at each location.
The party arrived back at the starting point on schedule, and every old soldier reported a pleasant time. On Monday the observances continued with a ceremony in the Milton ceremony with volleys fired and taps sounded. In the afternoon a patriotic parade was held. The parade concluded at Harmony cemetery, at soldiers circle. There the school children sand America, and the West Milton band played a dirge while the graves there were decorated. Lincolns address was recited, and Attorney Diebler presented the "oration of the day".
In Milton, the tradition of standing at the flag pole at Lincoln park, head uncovered and bowed, at noon, was recounted. One old soldier, living in a retirement home, sent $5 to Milton for a new flag, with the hopes that that tradition would never be lost.
Some years, a baseball game would be held between Milton and Danville, on Memorial Day week-end.
Programs would be very long affairs, including numerous speeches, recitations, poems, readings, with songs between each. They were typically followed by refreshments.
Some years, a baseball game would be held between Milton and Danville, on Memorial Day week-end.
Programs would be very long affairs, including numerous speeches, recitations, poems, readings, with songs between each. They were typically followed by refreshments.
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Montgomery
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1936
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MONTOURSVILLE
About 1896
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Watsontown
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1927
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WILLIAMSPORT
Memorial Day 1914
From the Williamsport Sun Gazette
Throughout the country, wherever there is a "silent city of the dead", in which is buried the mortal remains of soldiers who fought in the sixties for the preservation of the Union, their graves will be decorated today with beautiful flowers as a fitting tribute a grateful from a grateful people to their patriotism and valor.
In this pathetic manifestation of love and appreciation, quite naturally and properly the survivors of the that measurable conflict have a prominent place. Heads will be bared as these grizzled veterans, many with many with halting and feeble steps pass on their way to pay annual tribute of memory and affection to their comrades who have responded to the last great roll call.
The bitterness of civil strife has passed away, but as we continue to commemorate the heroic men of the Revolution who won our liberty, so we should remember with ever deepening gratitude, and constantly recall, so. that our children may known and honor them those who, with equal patriotism and self-sacrifice, saved our free country from destruction a half century ago.
One of the pleasing features of Memorial day is the general recognition of the fact that the soldier who did his duty, in conflict according to his convictions (whether he wore the blue or the gray) is worthy of honor. Sectionalism has gradually disappeared as this feeling has grown, and today all Americans are one in national patriotism; the people in all parts of the country are united and loyal to the Stars and Stripes, for which happy condition, we are indebted to these men who in the sixties took part in many hard fought engagements,
On this day, in addition to paying tribute to the heroic dead, we should not neglect to give full and fitting recognition to the survivors. They are old men now, but it is worth while to remember that they were boys fifty years ago when they went forth to for a great principle. They were boys when they marched through southern swamps and charged up southern mountain sides. Those soldiers who, a half century ago, lay dying by hundreds, worn with fever or gashed and torn by minie ball on a hundred southern battlefields, were mere boys. Those who starved in prison pens, when freedom could have been bought by breaking faith, were lads, many of them apprentices from the factories, boys from the farm, or schools and colleges.
The soldiers who faced death under Grant and Sherman and McClellan, those who helped, on land or sea, to write such chapter in the history of our country, were boys with the hopes and happy prospects of our. boys of today.
Therefore, remembering what they did, and honoring achievements, let us not forget the lesson they have taught us. They offered themselves as a sacrifice for the nation It is our privilege to live for it; but we cannot serve it as we we should unless we bring to our service some of that ardor and high unselfish purpose which made these "boys of '61 " the bulwark of the nation.
Today, therefore, it becomes us to "highly resolve that by faithful and unselfish service we will do our share to make the land in which we live worthy of the sacrifice these old soldiers made for it to the end that "government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this earth."
Memorial Day Parade, Williamsport 1944
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Lest We Forget
An Index Of Stories & Photos Of Those Who Didn't Make It Home
And A Closer Look At Some Of The Memorials Erected For them.
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/memorial-day-in-valley-through-decades.html
And A Closer Look At Some Of The Memorials Erected For them.
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/memorial-day-in-valley-through-decades.html
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Read More:
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