The first official Memorial
Day was celebrated in 1868 when Gen. John Logan declared a day to honor
the fallen solders of the Civil War.
"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," Logan wrote in his General Order
No. 11.
Memorial Day was later expanded to honor all veterans.
On
Monday, Bismarck will honor its vets with two large events, one on the
Capitol grounds and one at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, along
with numerous other observances.
The first event will be the
Bismarck veterans' organizations' annual observances held at 10:30 a.m.
at the Capitol's All Veterans Memorial.
Each year, the event's
hosting duties rotate between the different veterans' organizations in
town. This year, it will be hosted by the Bismarck AMVETS with Post
Commander Lyle Schuchard serving as the master of ceremonies.
"It's an honor for us to do this," Schuchard said.
The
observance will begin with a moment of silence, which will be followed
by speakers including Gov. John Hoeven, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Rep.
Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., and keynote speaker Col. Robert Fode.
Fode will be speaking on his experiences in Iraq.
"It's nice to be recognized as a vet and to recognize other veterans," Fode said.
Prayers will be led by Chaplain Maury Millican, who served with Fode in Iraq.
The
Bismarck Ladies' Auxiliary will then present wreaths, and the
observance will close with the firing from the honor guard and taps.
The observance is expected to last roughly 45 minutes.
The next event will begin at noon.
The
North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Memorial will begin with opening
statements by Capt. Penny Ripperger of the Air National Guard and a
UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flyover.
The event will feature
keynote speaker Vice Adm. Jeffery Fowler, the superintendent of the
United States Naval Academy, and welcoming remarks from Hoeven, Conrad
and Adjutant Gen. David Spryncynatyk.
There also will be the
posting of colors, a Memorial Day prayer by the Rev. Terry Kern, rifle
volley, taps and a 21-cannon salute.
Both events are free and open to the public.
(James Ziegler is a Bismarck State College student. He can be reached at 302-0822.)
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