General Orders No. 11

Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, DC, May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating, the grave of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, hamlet, and 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 are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo1 of rebellious tyranny in arms. 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 a 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 to 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 order of:
JOHN A. LOGAN
Commander-in-Chief.

N.P. CHIPMAN
Adjutant-General.

This Memorial Day I have been thinking about the 13,000 American paratrooper who were dropped behind the German lines in the early morning hour of June 6th 1944 by something like 1200 Douglas C-47 planes. Dozens of the planes were shot down killing all the paratrooper and the flight crew. Some of the paratrooper were dropped into marshes and drowned because of the heavy packs they were carrying.

They were followed by gliders carrying Jeeps and heavier equipment and more soldiers. Crash landing the gliders resulted in many more losses of both men and material. Those who jumped knew there would be no rescue if the landing failed. 2,500 of the paratroopers were lost.

All week leading up to this Memorial Day I have been reading about the landings on the beaches of Normandy and how the soldiers were mowed down like lambs to the slaughter.
And things were no better half way around the world in Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and many other places.

At that point in my life I was an impressionable 12-year old well aware of the seriousness of the conflict. I had cousins, uncles and family friends very much in harm’s way. Dad was too old for the first few rounds of the draft but as the conflict dragged on and on, we began to wonder if he might be next. Fortunately, the war ended before that happened.

This is not the only time that large numbers of Americans have been called on the make the ultimate sacrifice starting with the War for Independence, the War of 1812, War with Mexico, the very deadly Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War 1, the Korean War and the many wars that have followed.

I am grateful for those who gave there all in defense of our nation’s freedoms and liberties.

Sixty-seven years ago this month I raised my right-hand and pledged that I would support and defend the constitution and marched off to take my turn. During my time things were relatively calm but I was there and ready if it had been otherwise.

Best wishes,

dhm

P.S.: Yes, I still scrub down all the daily hog reports - the past 12-months are the best I have ever had in the markets and I tell myself, “Don’t confuse brains with a bull market!”