PRESS RELEASE Wednesday, May 16, 2012
WHO: The Calvary Cemetery Association
WHAT: 138th Annual Memorial Day Mass Celebrating American Patriots
WHEN: Sunday, May 27 beginning at Noon
WHERE: Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Drive, Dayton, OH 45409
Details:
Boy Scout Troop 516 will unfold and flourish an American flag beginning at noon on Calvary’s front hill, then retire the colors at about 12:20 PM.
The Treblemakers, a barbershop quartet, will sing “The Batttle Hymn of the Republic” and the Star Spangled Banner as a prelude to the service. They will sing “America the Beautiful” after Communion and “God Bless America” as the final hymn.
Uniformed Members of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will escort Father Scott Wright into the service and stand in salute.
Launch of 300 red, white and blue balloons immediately following the service.
History of Memorial Day at Calvary Cemetery
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first Decoration Day march and mass at Calvary Cemetery was organized by Civil War Veteran and GAR Earnshaw Post member John Deis in 1874.
