Do You Remember Memorial Day?

Earlier this year I was asked to speak at the funeral of a fallen soldier. Seeing the Marine honor guard and a casket draped with an American flag, has renewed my respect and admiration for our fighting men and women in uniform, and the sacrifice that they make for us every day.

I started to think about how we honor our soldiers and most importantly how we honor
those men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. Everyone is ready for the family cookout. The grills are cleaned, the charcoal is bought and the potato salad is made. All that is left to do is gather around the backyard picnic table and enjoy the warm weather and the joy of visiting with family and friends. Life just doesn’t get much better than that.

Sadly though, Memorial Day is becoming one of those holidays that most overlook the true meaning and intention of the observance.

Memorial Day was first widely observed as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th 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 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.

Across the country many communities had begun to celebrate Memorial Day, and after World War I observances also began honoring those who lost their lives in all American Wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday in May.

As I read the declaration from General John A. Logan I began thinking about how my community, Dundalk, has celebrated Memorial Day over the years. I decided to drive over to the Historical Society at Shipping Place and ask the nice people there for some information.

As I was driving down Merritt Boulevard, I noticed the phone poles still had flag holders on them from the Memorial Day Parades that were held in the 1970’s. The Memorial Day parade, which is one of the favorite memories of my childhood, started at Merritt Park shopping center, in front of H.L Greens, and ended at Shipping Place. My grandfather owned Dundalk Aluminum Specialties, Inc. and for many years he had a float in the parade.

My sister, my father and I as well as many of the men who worked for my grandfather would dress up in red, white and blue clown suits, and give out candy and Bob-A-Loops to the children that lined the parade route. That’s right Bob-A-Loops.

If you don’t know what a Bob-A-Loop is Google it. If you do remember the Bob-A-Loop,what were our parents thinking letting us play with such an unsafe toy? When Igot to Shipping Place I parked my car across from the old Kresge’s store, and thought about a couple of hot dogs from their food counter and a Coke with chipped ice. But that is a story for another time.

Putting my hunger at bay I walked over to the Historical Society building.  As I entered the building I was greeted by Henry Young and Jean Walker, two of the nicest Dundalkians that I have ever met. I explained to Mrs. Jean what I was looking for and she went downstairs to the basement to check her files.

She returned a few moments later with a thin file of newspaper clippings. I carefully read the few clippings about the parade, but more than anything, the pictures told the story. In the mid to late 1970s you could find marching bands, majorette units, high school bands as many as fifty veterans group Honor Guards, the Mummers in their fancy feathered costumes, and local little league heroes all marching proudly down our beautiful streets in honor of our fallen soldiers.

And after the parade ended, the World War I veterans, the raining “Miss Vet," Gold Star Parents and many others would join the Firing Squads of Dundalk Post 38 of the American Legion and the Dundalk Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for a ceremony in Veterans Park. I also read about the weeklong fair that was held the week before Memorial Day at Merritt Park Beach.

Also in the pile of papers was a small article that gave the information about a Memorial Day Parade that was sponsored By the Gray Manor Veterans of Foreign War post 9743. The parade was held on May 27, 1956. The parade started at the Post’s home at 1110 Old North Point Road, and went to Willow Road, Plain Field Road and back to North Point Road where services were held. After services the graves of deceased members were visited.

It would seem that the large celebrations of long ago have faded away like so many other traditions that we as a community once held in the highest regard.

Although, there will be no Dundalk Memorial Day Parade like in years passed, our fallen soldiers are still honored in ceremonies throughout the town. I would ask everyone to postpone the family cookout for just an hour.

Gather the children and go to one of the Memorial Day Ceremonies that we have
in Dundalk. Like the song says “all gave some, but some gave all.” Let’s
remember those who gave all with the respect and admiration due a hero.

Memorial Day Ceremonies will be held at:

– Oak Lawn Cemetary, 7225 Eastern Ave., beginning at 10 a.m.

– Veterans Park at Shipping Place, beginning at 11 a.m.

– Post 38, 3300 Dundalk Ave, beginning at noon