Memorial Day Observance
The observance of this day was first held on May 30th, 1868 by the proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, as the first major observance to honor those who died "in defense of their country during the late rebellion". It was initially known as "Decoration Day", when the gravesites of both Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with wreaths or the planting of flowers. That event was held yearly on May 30th until Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, and noted that the holiday would be marked on the last Monday in May.
As in 2011-2015 our country is marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, it would be proper to stop and visit our township's own cemetery adjoining the Minisink Reformed Church - where many local Civil War veterans are laid to rest, along with veterans from later conflicts. Instead of wreaths or flowers now set upon their graves, freshly placed American flags mark their final resting places.
 |
| Amended Public Domain Postcard |
Montague's heritage involved the bravery of those who protected this early frontier during the French and Indian and the Revolutionary Wars - before we were even the "United States of America". Many of those veterans lay buried in small, often forgotten, plots scattered about our countryside. Few had engraved tombstones.. as often only simple field-stones, some of which have since toppled over, mark their graves.
To hear how men in the 18th century would have dressed .. come to a program being offered by the Montague Assoc. for the Restoration of Community History [MARCH]. The society will host a presentation by Fred Schofer on Thurs. evening, May 31st at 7pm. Mr. Schofer is a volunteer and interpretive guide of living history at Millbrook Village and will appear as a "military scout" of that period.
The program will be held at the Foster-Armstrong House, 320 River Rd. / CR 521 in Montague and is open to all!
