Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The above picture shows early Memorial Day parades in Manistique. The parades featured not only veterans from foreign wars but also the Civil War. Several bands were part of the parades along with the Woman’s Relief Corps, Red Cross, Catholic Benevolent Association, and Daughters of Veterans. Schoolchildren marched in formation with their teachers along with the 200-member Garden Club.
The last unit in Manistique Memorial Days parades was the National Guard Unit. Ceremonies at the end of the parade included various speeches, a presentation of pins to all soldiers present, and a calling-off of all service people who died as a result of conflict. The ceremony ended with Taps being played. The early ceremonies took place at the Star Opera House and the majority of the citizens of Manistique attended.
The above parade was probably shortly after the Chicago Lumber Company Store was built in 1886. The Decoration Day parades consisted of the Coronet Band, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) veterans in uniform, 116 little girls dressed in white, and the citizens of the community. When the parade through completed, the parade entered the cemetery, placed a wreath on George Fuller’s grave and little girls tossed flowers around the grave. Notice the homes on either side have fences, primarily to keep their livestock contained. The street is dirt and the people are standing on the boardwalks.