Decoration Day was started to honor the lives and sacrifices of Civil War veterans by decorating their graves with American flags. As the United States entered more wars, it expanded to all veterans, and the name changed to Memorial Day.
The above photo shows graves at Gettysburg. My great-great-grandfather, James Strausser, fought at Gettysburg and had his leg blown off
Here are James’ hat and artifacts from the Civil War.
I am a hereditary member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. In Milwaukee, they always give a tribute to the Civil War veterans and all veterans buried in Calvary Cemetery.
Milwaukee’s Calvary Cemetery marks 100th consecutive Memorial Day observance
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