Alva Review-Courier -

Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery.

"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 churchyard in the land," he proclaimed.

Five thousand participants decorated the graves of the 20,00...