Memorial Day

[M. Demetrius]

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Freedom Isn't Free
David Wills

She stands in their door with a dishtowel in her hand
Looking past the farms or the woods or the sea.
She's searching for her laddie that the war has made a man.
She's the daughter or the sister or the mother-to-be,
She's the orphan of the battle, she's the mother of our land,
And she knows what she's given for us all to be free.

Freedom isn't free to those who have to buy it,
It's bought with their sweat and their pain and their fear.

A grandma or an aunt is sitting, rocking in her chair
Near the fire in a cottage, with her Bible by her side.
She's thinking of a picnic and a boy with tousled hair
How he fell from that tree, skinned his knee and how he cried.
She was at his band recitals, at graduation she was there,
And she was sitting, rocking, praying at the moment that he died.

No, freedom isn't free to those who have to buy it
It's bought with the blood of the ones we hold dear.

By a tree in the valley, or a crater sudden found
His hands still grip his weapon as he stares into the sky.
And those who've come to carry him can't muster up a sound,
For though he fought bravely, they weep and wonder why
It's their comrade they're carrying, not themselves on the ground.
There's no glory left in valor of the ones who had to die.

You know, freedom isn't free for those who have to buy it,
And only those who have lost it know its value full clear.

[Redguru]

HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868



The 30th day 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 church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.