Friday, May 28, 2010
David O'Connor, Principal
Andrea Shepard, Assistant Principal
Presentation of the Colors
W.H.S. Jr. R.O.T.C
Pledge of Allegiance
Lane Hiebus, U.S.M.C.
Select Chorus Singers
Remarks from Commander Ralph G. Fatello
Hamptons' American Legion Post #35
"Why We Remember"
Abigail McEachern and Olivia Richter
"What Heroes Gave"
Sally Hamblet, Erica Hesser, Allison Hildreth,
Kyle Mooney, Cameron Clark, Jacob Branagan,
Loryn Eagleson, Haylee Hansen, Noah Wurtz,
Audrey Eastman, Michael Ellis
Salute to the Marines
Memorial Day Poem
History of Memorial Day
"Abide With Me
Grade 7 Word Banners
Adele Coleman and Sarah Lamie
"In Flanders Fields"
H. A. Chorus
Sarah Lamie, Courtney Lamers
Emily Bonenfant, and Caroline Anastasia
Liam Bird and Owen Thomas
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of Remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.
There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: A hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet
While Waterloo, N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen. Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868.
It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.