Old Soldiers Home in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Memorial Day Order
General Orders No. 11
— Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868 —
I. The 30th day of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late Rebellion, and those bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late Rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains and their deaths a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime. Let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor. Let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the nation's gratitude - the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the commander-in-chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year. While a survivor remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades, he earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective by command of
John A. Logan, Commander-in-chief.
N.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 11, 2021
Erected 1936 by National Woman's Relief Corps (the Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the The Grand Army of the Republic series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1782.
Location. 38° 56.641′ N, 77° 0.602′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Old Soldiers Home. Marker is on Harewood Road Northwest east of Rock Creek Church Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Harewood Road Northwest, Washington DC 20011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); This Pine Tree (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); U. S. Soldiers' Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Paul's Church Rain Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul's Episcopal (approx. ¼ mile away); Patrick Henry (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker. Marker is at the Logan Tomb inside the grounds of the U.S. Armed Forces Retirement Home (a.k.a. the U.S. "Soldiers'" or "Soldiers' and Airmen's" Home) National Cemetery. Its entrance is across the street from the Armed Forces Retirement Home, on Harewood Road Northwest between Rock Creek Cemetery Road and North Capitol Street Northwest.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The John Logan Memorial Marker.
Also see . . .
1. Memorial Day. (Submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. John A. Logan. (Submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. Grand Army of the Republic. (Submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
4. Find a Grave: "Famous" interments, Soldiers Home National Cemetery. (Submitted on June 19, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Gettysburg Address, G.A.R.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,861 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on June 19, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 9, 10. submitted on September 15, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.