Memorial Day

Arlington Cemetery, Kearny, NJ 1910

Memorial Day is the holiday for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Every year the American Legion Post (99) Kearny, NJ, that I am a member of, places American Flags on the graves of Veterans in the town of Kearny (Arlington Cemetery).

A number of the graves are for those who died while serving during wars while others will receive a flag to show, as a veteran, they’re not forgotten.

Memorial Day or Decoration Day as it was called years ago, has always drawn crowds to this cemetery, including other veterans, family members, friends or just onlookers.    

The photograph above was taken in 1910 at the Veterans Grave Circle here in Kearny.  The photo shows Civil War veterans standing or kneeling next to graves of their fellow soldiers who fell during the war.

Many of the veterans in this photo were from the Old Soldier’s Home that was built in Kearny after the war.

Time changes all things.  The Soldiers home buildings are long gone, replaced by a sports field. 

The Veterans Grave Circle grew with the fallen from the other wars.  More stars were added to the flag from the days of the Civil War. The men pictured may have witnessed the change from horse drawn buggies to mechanical cars but didn’t see the sky full of airplanes that carry people from around the country and the world at unbelievable speeds. 

If you take this photo and use it as a guide, you can stand or kneel next to the exact gravestone, replacing the Civil War Veteran from 1910, with yourself, only 116 years later.

When asked, why would I do this?  I consider it a personal tribute in remembrance to those pictured from 1910, and the men they came to honor.  The same spot, same ground positioned in the same position.  It may be the closest thing we have to an interdimensional handshake.