Many decades earlier General John Logan also shared his thoughts of the departed warriors. In May of 1868 he was the Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former and serving military men who's fraternity, in the decades to come would become one of the most influential of all military organizations in the United States.
His May 8 1868 General Order #11 said...
"I. 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 churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or 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 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 free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and 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 in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope 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 call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
His May 8 1868 General Order #11 said...
"I. 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 churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or 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 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 free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and 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 in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope 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 call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
General John Logan's wishes are still respected across North America. The actual day being set aside may have changed slightly. Even the name of the day has morphed... from Decoration Day to what we all know as Memorial Day. In Canada's Newfoundland the name means something much different, but more on that in a later blog.
Readers are very cognizant of the fact that both men AND WOMEN have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom across North America, and elsewhere, going back to Revolutionary days if not earlier.
Readers are very cognizant of the fact that both men AND WOMEN have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom across North America, and elsewhere, going back to Revolutionary days if not earlier.
Rather than strewing flowers, these soldiers are placing flags in front of every grave. They measure back one boot length, plant the flag, step back and salute. And these men and women of the guard do it several times as you can see from the load of flags being carried to their "stations." They are members of the famous Old Guard at the Arlington National Cemetery. Before their day was done they would have placed OVER 230,000 flags in honor of a passed man or woman who served their country.
With over 750 non-American born Medal of Honor recipients, it is safe to assume that many of these men, from upwards of 30 countries may well be buried here at Arlington. About half of at least 2 dozen Canadians resting here are MOH recipients. And thus the showing of both flags above.
Last Month I brought you the story of Lenah Higbee, one of only 4 nurses in the entire history of the US Navy's Nursing Corps who was awarded the Navy Cross. Of the 4, hers was the only non posthumous award. The above war ship, which earned 8 Battle Stars in WWll, was named in her honor
The Navy Corps Lenah Higbee served, within a few months, the longest of all nursing Superintendents in the corps history to this day. Above is a new warship to be built and commissions in 2024, and will again carry her name. Her grave is at Arlington and was no doubt one of these honoured with a flag earlier this week. The ship's builder is the very builder of the latest Douglas Munro Cutter which I have written much in this space of late.
Lenah was born in a place called Chatham... New Brunswick, Canada.
Lenah was born in a place called Chatham... New Brunswick, Canada.
Many school and other youth organizations like the Boy Scouts also come out in great numbers across the US to place flags on Memorial Day. These two middle students in Washington state have come out to show their respects for the veterans. They belong to a group called the Upper County Interact Club, and for 5 years have been visiting local cemeteries. The above grave marker ought to be immediately recognized by regular readers as that of the US Coast Guard's ONLY MOH man, Vancouver BC born Douglas Munro, noted above.
And getting back to Medals of Honor, here, possible for the first time ever published, is another of the smoking guns in the case of Nova Scotia born John Hanna. The past three blogs have brought you his story. There was disagreement regarding if the Canadian born Hanna, or an American born veteran of the same name was buried at a Pennsylvania cemetery. The evidence I produced, with the help of others, now has been accepted as confirmation that the Canadian is the veteran buried there.
The images above are the front and back of the Civil War version army Medal of Honor awarded First Sergeant Hanna for his duties, with 28 others, In the final escorting of the remains of the late President Abraham Lincoln from Washington to Springfield in 1865. The image must be very rare indeed. I can only find one other on the net.
The images above are the front and back of the Civil War version army Medal of Honor awarded First Sergeant Hanna for his duties, with 28 others, In the final escorting of the remains of the late President Abraham Lincoln from Washington to Springfield in 1865. The image must be very rare indeed. I can only find one other on the net.
The medal is held in good hands, but I have been asked not to reveal where it is in North America, and shall oblige. It reads.... The Congress..to First Sergeant John Hanna Co B, 24th Vet Res Corps for Escort to remains of President Abraham Lincoln, April, 1865.
This was one of the medals that became victim of the 1917 Purge, noted often in this space.
This was one of the medals that became victim of the 1917 Purge, noted often in this space.
On a final note, earlier today I was sent a most moving clip about a US Naval Reserve Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Loyce Edward Deen.
He was acting as a gunner during an air attack against a Japanese carrier in Manila. Gunner Deen's plane was so shot up that it is strange that it was not blown out of the sky. It managed to make it back home to its own carrier but when it came to a halt Deen was found dead at his station.
The crew decided that the plane should become his coffin and carried out a burial at sea for both. Probably a first and only such burial in US history. Here is a link you should have a look at, and please turn on your speakers
loyceedeen.webstarts.com/uploads/GoingHome.mp4
See you next week with another very important development regarding Medals of Honor.
Bart
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