One hundred and fifty years ago, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed that Americans should begin to observe a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers. On May 30 of that year, the first celebration of the holiday took place. It would take five more years for a state (Michigan) to officially proclaim the observance, and it would be a mind-boggling 103 years before the day to officially became a federal holiday despite the day being a major event on the Washington calendar almost from day one.
Today, we honor those who bravely made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.