A Memorial Day Tribute

Mokena's Front Porch

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Memorial Day, which began shortly after the Civil War, was called Decoration Day. On May 30, 1868, President Garfield spoke at Arlington National Cemetery and said, "I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering words on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be here, beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung....For the love of county they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue."
Matt and I went down to Pioneer Cemetery and talked about some of Mokena's war hero's. We discussed all 4 cemeteries and Matt shared some incredible stories of heroism and sacrifice. We talk about one Mokenian who came face to face with General George Washington, another lived out his days with a lead ball in the roof of his mouth. Matt shares the heroic story of the namesake of the Mokena VFW, William Martin.
Our Village has a rich history of service to our country and we are happy to recognize some of those stories here in this extended conversation at Mokena's most historic site.
We hope you enjoy this episode and have a wonderful Memorial Weekend.
President Ronald Reagans Memorial Day Speech
More on the 1868 Arlington National Cemetery Decoration Day Ceremony

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Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.
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