Memorial Day
Memorial Day originated in the years following the American Civil War as a way to honor the immense sacrifices of fallen soldiers. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began with local communities decorating the graves of the war dead with flowers, wreaths, and flags. While various towns claim early observances, the holiday was formally established on May 5, 1868, when Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—an organization of Union veterans—issued General Order No. 11. This proclamation called for a national day of remembrance on May 30, chosen because flowers would be in bloom across the country.
The first large-scale national observance took place that year at Arlington National Cemetery, where thousands gathered to decorate the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. Speeches, including one by future President James A. Garfield, emphasized honoring the dead and preserving the memory of their service.
Over time, the holiday expanded beyond the Civil War. After World War I, it evolved to commemorate American service members who died in all wars. The name gradually shifted from Decoration Day to Memorial Day. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved the observance to the last Monday in May (effective in 1971) to create a three-day weekend and officially standardized the name as Memorial Day.
Today, Memorial Day remains a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service. Traditions include visiting cemeteries, flying flags at half-staff until noon, and participating in parades and moments of silence, distinguishing it from Veterans Day, which honors all who have served.
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Hamvention 2026 Recap + Live POTA Activation! | Morgan Monroe State Forest US-4215
Join NW9F for a Sunday morning Parks on the Air (POTA) activation from one of Indiana's favorite spots — Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Exclusive Discount Code for the Month of May!
I want to give a big shout-out to my friend James (KH2SR) of QuirkyQRP Ham Radios. If you’ve followed the HamTube community for any length of time, you already know he’s one of its biggest supporters. James is a true maker who builds fun, high-quality, and genuinely quirky ham radio gear right here in the USA.
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Make sure you regularly check the Steals and Deals page. This is were I will post deals and discount codes for things that I find on the Internet. Some of the likes are affiliate links, but they do not cost you extra, but I do get paid a small commission, that goes to supporting the operation of the channel.
Tim (NW9F) AKA GraymanPOTA