PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TRAER HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Memorial Day’s roots go back to the Civil War. Families cleaned and decorated the graves of fallen soldiers in late spring. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), an association of Civil War Veterans, touted May 30 as Remembrance Day. The first official Decoration Day ceremony was held at Arlington Cemetery on May 30, 1868, when General James Garfield spoke to a crowd of 5,000. By 1890, Decoration Day was observed across the country. In 1971, the name was changed to Memorial Day to honor all veterans.

Traer celebrated Decoration Day with a parade, a program at the Opera House, and gatherings at local cemeteries for many years. The photo shows the Memorial Day Honor Guard in front of the Opera House in 1932. Those pictured include, from left, George Cavalier, Louis Caslavka, Henry Kolp, Judge J.W. Willet, Adolph Blakely, and Joseph Dedic. The flags belong to the Kubik-Finch Post, American Legion.