Postcard from the Past: Memorial Day, May 30, 1918

At first, Memorial Day was a day of memories, the graves of brave men who gave their lives in the Civil War were decorated with flowers, a sign grateful people had not forgotten the supreme sacrifice these men made.

Then the day gradually became a popular holiday – games, sports and picnics were more important than heroic memories. The original idea of the day was in danger of being lost.

Now we have come to a time when Memorial Day can be – and should be – consecrated anew, when we may look back with reverence upon the victorious past and forward with courage and determination to a victorious future.

Let us make this day a time when we renew our declarations of loyalty to the great cause of which our country has always been the foremost champion, the cause of human liberty.

We shall do our daily work, whatever it may be, with a better spirit, if we keep the idea before us. – E. Mosher, The Home Hart Schaffner and Marx Clothes, reads a full  page advertisement in the Rawlins Republican, May 30, 1918. It was headed by a drawing of World War I soldiers marching off to war.

Memorial Day praised

Memorial Day is a day for depth of thought and a day for thanksgiving as well. 

Let us offer thanks to God this country has come safely through its great trials, and at the same time, offer a prayer our boys may never again be forced to sacrifice themselves on the altar of war. 

In the years that have passed, the cream of our citizenship has constantly gone forth to defend our shores against invasion and desecration. It is to those brave defenders our thoughts will turn tomorrow.