The Birthplace of Memorial Day

Below is Duffy's Tavern in Boalsburg, Pa. near State College. A great place to eat and the atmosphere will take you back to days gone by.. It once was a stagecoach stop. It still has some small doorways and as you can see from the photos below, lots of original charm and ambiance.





*These photos were taken last year* Click photos to enlarge.

On an October day in 1864, in a small village in Central Pennsylvania ( Boalsburg )beside a little church, there is a graveyard where the birthplace of Memorial Day took place. Three women, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and an older woman, Mrs Elizabeth Meyer were placing flowers on their loved ones graves.

The loved ones had served in the Civil War. Emma Hunter's father had been a surgeon in the Union Army and Mrs. Meyer's son had fallen in the battle at Gettysburg.

The ladies talked and found in their grief a common bond in which the first Memorial Day took place. It was from the shared grief and meeting at the graves that the women discussed their plan to honor the fallen soldiers with their family, friends and neighbors.

It was said that on July 4, 1865, an informal meeting turned into a community service. Dr. George Hall, a clergyman, preached a sermon and every grave in the cemetery was decorated with flowers and flags.

Four years after the first meeting in the cemetery, General John A. Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, ordered May 30th 1868, as the day to decorate the graves of those who died in defense of their country. He also mentioned in the order * with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year *.

Initially, Memorial Day was to honor the graves of fallen soldiers. Over the years it has become a day where we honor all of those who have passed before.
*****************************************

Well, it seems that blogger still has issues and a lot of us cannot leave comments on other blogs.. There are only a couple that I have been able to leave comments on.

So, if you would like to comment or say hi , I am here at homecamp1@comcast.net

May you all have a safe holiday weekend.. part of it is gone , but may today and tomorrow be a safe and happy one !

Hugs,
Linda