By Pat Atchison
The words Memorial Day bring forth thoughts of loved ones, friends, patriotism, wars, cemeteries, long weekends, families, ceremonies. . . . The list goes on and on.
Memorial Day, or as it was originally known, "Decoration Day," was formally proclaimed by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (an organization of Union veterans of the Civil War) in 1868. His order proclaimed 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 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". It was on that day that flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Arizona Weekly Miner newspaper in Prescott made no mention of Decoration Day before Monday, May 27, 1881. At that time, it was stated, "Next Monday will be Decoration Day, and it is to be generally observed in the States." On the following Tuesday, May 31st, the Arizona Daily Miner told its readers, "Yesterday was Decoration Day." There were no further comments.
Many veterans of the Civil War made their way to Prescott in pursuit of fortune adventure and a new life. Some veterans reenlisted to serve in the Indian Wars and were assigned to area military posts. At the end of the Indian Wars (1890) or at the time of their discharge many of these soldiers remained in Yavapai County. Due to the large number of veterans of the Civil War who lived in the area, The Barrett Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was established in Prescott.
"There was a very decided interest in Memorial Day exercises this year over previous years attributed no doubt to the existing war with a foreign foe," states the Arizona Weekly Journal Miner on June 1,1898, indeed, the Spanish American War had begun. Three events were produced. An observance was held at the Methodist Church on the eve of Memorial Day. Although extra seats had been added, many people were turned away as even the standing room was filled. The church was decorated with flags and red and white bunting. Nearly all the people in attendance wore a flag, "denoting the spirit of patriotism." Early the following morning, the Woman's Relief Corps decorated the graves of all "the old soldiers" interred at Citizens Cemetery. Later in the morning, a procession formed and wound its way to the cemetery, where services were held at the gravesite of Captain Butler. That evening, a program of recitations, patriotic music and an address by Eugene Brady O'Neill was held at the courthouse. In the closing words of his address, Mr. O'Neill stated an admonition which his dying father had given him, ". . .which contains all the elements of good citizenship to every man who heeds it, 'be true to your mother, your God and your country.'"
By 1917, the United States had entered into the world war. Although the name "Decoration Day" had officially been changed to Memorial Day in 1882, the Prescott Journal Miner stated on May 29, 1917, "DECORATION DAY IS PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR." The article went on to state Mayor W.H. Timerhoff's proclamation. It advised the populace to, "show the young men who are today defending and preparing to defend our country and theirs, that we whom circumstances call to remain at home honor the survivors and revere those who have gone before." The events of Memorial Day included the decoration of veterans' graves, in all the cemeteries, by groups of students from the city schools and St. Joseph's Academy. Later in the morning, a traditional program featuring students was presented at the north end of the plaza. Following the end of this war, Memorial Day Observances usually honored those who had died in all wars, not just the Civil War.
By Memorial Day 1942, the United States had already begun involvement in the war in Europe, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor had taken place just a few months earlier. Citizens throughout the nation were involved in World War II in one way or another. The Prescott Evening Courier reported on May 30, 1942 that, "Prescott and Whipple joined today in the nation-wide observance of Memorial day [sic], made vitally significant by the present heroic struggle to preserve the ideals of liberty from being crushed under the heels of dictatorship." An early morning program was presented in the recreation hall at Whipple, followed by the placement of flowers on gravesites at the Whipple cemetery. Later in the morning, a parade composed of many community organizations and musicians marched from the Junior High School on Gurley Street to the plaza. The program was composed of traditional components. In the address, Alfred B. Carr reviewed the purposes and achievements of our forefathers as they participated in earlier wars. He commented on various views of the current war. He ended by saying, "We pledge ourselves to hold this torch [of freedom, equality and justice] higher and higher that its light may be spread upon all the peoples of the earth."
The May 29, 1952 Prescott Evening Courier reported that all municipal, county, state and federal offices, as well as Sharlot Hall Museum, would be closed on Memorial Day. The Chamber of Commerce remained open, but most merchants voted to close for the day. The community service was held at the Whipple Veterans Center cemetery. This event, held during the Korean War, featured Ralph L. Williams, editor of the Prescott Evening Courier, as the speaker. The topic he chose was, "Sacrifice for Freedom." The gravesites were decorated, as was the Unknown Soldier's cenotaph. Political cartoons published in the Courier during the Korean War demonstrated the gratitude of the people toward those who had given their life for their country.
During the many years of the Vietnam War, the commemoration of Memorial Day took various forms. In 1961, By Hargrove, Lt. Col. USA Ret. was the key speaker and reminded his listeners that, "We are in a war with Communism today and we are losing badly." A parade composed of marching groups and floats sponsored by many community organizations accompanied the program at Whipple in 1962. In 1963, the Southern Union Gas Company presented an ad entitled, "On Memorial Day, when you put up the flag, ask yourself. . ." There followed as series of questions such as, "Am I displaying the flag correctly?" Could I explain our system of government to a foreigner as well as he could explain his system to me?" and, "Am I making full use of the freedoms the flag represents?" Community services continued at the Whipple Cemetery with flags gracing each gravesite.
In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday in May. This designation made it necessary for cities and organizations to decide whether to observe Memorial Day on the traditional (May 30th) or observed (last Monday in May) day. In 1991, during the Gulf War (Desert Storm), a special ceremony was held at the plaza on the observed Memorial Day. It was at this time that Sgt. 1st Class Gary Streeter's name was placed on a small plaque and placed in the courthouse. Sgt. Streeter, a Prescott native was killed in Iraq in February 1991. (Since that time, an enlarged plaque, listing all the County servicemen and women who have given their life for their country, has been placed near the All Veterans Memorial Statue on the Plaza.) Several days later, on May 30, an observance was held at the Prescott National Cemetery. The public affairs officers stated, "The ceremony this year will be especially meaningful with the safe return of the Desert Storm troops ever mindful in the hearts of the community." In addition to patriotic music, a speech by a retired Army officer and the thoughts of Mayor Bob Morgan, respects were paid to Sgt. Streeter.
Wars. Patriotism. Memorial Day. The three are tightly interwoven. In 2002, the three are again strongly brought to our attention due to the events on and following September 11, 2001. Join in remembering. A Memorial Day Observance at historic Citizens Cemetery (815 E. Sheldon St.) will be held on Monday, May 27 at 9:00 a.m. A second service will be held at 10 a.m. on May 30 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
(Pat Atchison is the chairperson of the Yavapai Cemetery Association)
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (pb017ai75-695). Reuse only by permission.
A modest Memorial Day celebration was held on the courthouse steps in 1948. Although "decoration day" started in 1868, it was first noted in 1881 in Prescott. This weekend, Memorial Day will be observed in many ways throughout Prescott including a service at Citizens Cemetery tomorrow morning at 9 am.