Memorial Day - Observance

Memorial Day is a day observed to honor those who died while in service for the U.S. Military, commemorated by decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

Originally called Decoration Day, the observance started shortly after the Civil War. The first official observance was on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery where flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. By 1882 it was alternatively called Memorial Day and by the end of World War II, this name was more commonly used.

May 30th was established as the day for memorial, but was later changed to the last Monday in May on June 28, 1968 with the signing of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This change took effect in 1971.

Traditions on Memorial Day now include parades, visiting cemeteries and memorial sites and is now a time of events and family gatherings. Some view it as the beginning of summer. Traditionally the American flag is flown at half-staff from dawn to noon and a national moment of remembrance at 3:00pm local time.

Eighty-six known Ravenna residents enlisted in the Civil War. Of these eighty-six enlisted volunteers, thirty of them died while in service for the Union.
There are sixty-seven Civil War veterans buried in the Ravenna Cemetery. Three Ravenna resident Civil War veterans are known to be buried elsewhere.
Photo: 21st Michigan Infantry, Company unknown.
click on image for larger view, see below for source

Ravenna Residents who served in the 21st Michigan Infantry; Civil War:
Charles Anderson, Company E 21 MI Infantry, died 31 Dec 1862
John Barnhill, Company E 21 MI Infantry, died 4 March 1863
Alanson Beebe, Company H 21 MI Infantry
John Boozer, Company E 21 MI Infantry, died 14 July 1863
William Brott, Company G 21 MI Infantry, died 19 Nov 1862
Malcom Enos, Company G 21 MI Infantry, 3 Jan 1863
James Gillhespy, Company E 21 MI Infantry, died 31 Dec 1862
James F. Wilson, Company E 21 MI Infantry, died 19 Nov 1862
George Zimmerman, Company H 21 MI Infantry




Sources:
www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
BOOK: 150 years-1849-1999 Ravenna Township Michigan (see right panel for purchase) Ravenna Area Veterans of all wars listed in the book.
Images: on CD- Remembering The Civil War 1861-1865 vol 1& 2 www.a2zcds.com owned collection