[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5149-S5150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MEMORIAL DAY, 1997

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, on Monday, many of us will be about the 
land, speaking to veterans on Memorial Day. Throughout this Nation's 
history and

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throughout the world's history valiant soldiers have struggled, 
distinguished themselves, advanced their cause, and fallen in battle. 
Yet a Memorial Day commemorating America's brave heroes was a long time 
in coming.
  A national memorial occasion was observed for the first time in 1886. 
It began with the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization of Union 
Army veterans. They started, on a nationwide scale, what some southern 
women in several Dixie cities had been doing as a local spring 
ceremony--remembering the Civil War dead by placing flowers on their 
graves.
  Since then, all too many generations have confronted the savagery of 
war and added their own list to the role of the fallen heroes. What 
began as a memorial to casualties of one war is now our day to honor 
those from all of our wars.
  In the beginning, Memorial Day was more popularly known as Decoration 
Day. I grew up, as probably the President did, knowing it as Decoration 
Day. I remember my folks saying now we have to go to the graves and to 
the cemetery to honor our dead In our family on Decoration Day. It was 
observed by decorating the graves with flowers and flags. That 
tradition is still a strong one and many thousands of Americans will go 
to the graves of their loved ones and to veterans and veterans' graves 
and memorials on Monday to recognize our veterans.
  Our emphasis today should be to remember the supreme sacrifice so 
many made to protect our great Nation and secure the freedoms we enjoy.
  Gen. John A. Logan, the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
called for the observance of Memorial Day in 1886. Today, his words are 
still eloquent and meaningful, and it is fitting that we recall them. 
He said, ``Let no ravages of time testify to coming generations that we 
have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided Republic.''
  On this Memorial Day, 1997, that we are soon to celebrate, let us 
acknowledge the terrible cost and honor the fallen heroes who paid for 
it have made, by rededicating ourselves to their cause. Let us 
concentrate on preserving our Nation and honoring our cherished 
freedoms by recognizing those who preserve them for us.
  I yield the floor.

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