American Legion preparing for Memorial Day

OAK RIDGE — Members of American Legion Post 423 are preparing for Memorial Day by decorating the graves of veterans at cemeteries.
The number of graves are decorated each year increases.
This year is the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day. One of the first observances happened in Columbus, Mississippi on April 25, 1866. A group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had died at the Battle of Shiloh. They also decorated the graves of Union soldiers who were buried there. At this time decorating the graves was known as Decoration Day by order of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan and was to be observed on May 30 of each year to remember those who had died in the Civil War.
After World I, the day was expanded to include all those who died in American Wars and re-named Memorial Day. It was declared a National Holiday by Congress in 1971 and was to be observed on the last Monday of Mayany towns throughout the United States claim that they are the birthplace of Memorial Day. After many years of discussion, In 1966 Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, NY to be the birthplace of Memorial Day.
Many Veterans Organizations and their Auxiliaries sell poppies for Memorial Day as a reminder for people to remember those who have died for our Nation. The proceeds are used to help those Veterans and their families who are less fortunate.