By Mark Rhoads
The State of Illinois was proudly represented in the Memorial Day events of Washington, DC this weekend with two actors from the Land of Lincoln leading the way. Chicago native Joe Mantengna teamed with Blue Island and Highland Park native Gary Sinise (right) to co-host the Memorial Day Tribute to Veterans on PBS at the West Front of the Capitol on Sunday night. Gary Sinise has been to Iraq several times and has been generous with his time in support of USO shows for the troops overseas. Front-row dignitaries included Battle of the Bulge veteran and former Illinois Congressman Bob Michel of Peoria and Father Daniel Coughlin, Chaplain of the U.S. House and former Vicar of Priests in Chicago. Father Coughlin was also voted in as the official chaplain of the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC at its annual meeting at Fort McNair Officer's Club last Wednesday, May 24.
On Monday, May 29, the Illinois State Society co-sponsored the Memorial Day Ceremony with the National Park Service at Logan Circle, NW. Union Maj. Gen. John A. Logan from Murphysboro, Illinois was a Union Democrat who campaigned for President Lincoln in 1864. A former Illinois Congressman and US Senator, Logan ran for Vice President on the GOP ticket with James G. Blaine in 1884.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) veterans organization was founded in Decatur, Illinois in 1866. On May 5, 1868, Gen. Logan, as Commander of the GAR, signed General Order Number 11 that designated May 30, 1868 "for the purpose of strewing flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of the comrades who died in the defense of their country." Soon, May 30 was observed all over the country as Memorial Day but was often called Decoration Day in the South.
"Not without thy wondrous story, can be writ the nation's glory, on the record of thy years, Abraham Lincoln's name appears, Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois."
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan is pictured at right.
Almost 100 residents of Gen. Logan's home town of Murphysboro, Illinois attended the ceremony and concert. The Murphysboro High School Marching Band marched in the downtown parade and played a concert at the ceremony in Logan Circle. Students from the band placed a wreath at the statue of Gen. Logan with their parents in attendance. Colors were presented by the Joint Armed Services Color Guard of the Military District of Washington. The main speaker was Michael P. Jones, Director of the Logan Museum in Murphysboro. Molly Ware of Wilmette, President of the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC, also gave welcome remarks. Mrs. Virginia Hayes Williams, mother of Washington, DC Mayor Anthony Williams, sang God Bless America.
