Sam Spade's San Francisco

Note: for 2009 Memorial Day information go to: Memorial Day in San Francisco 2009 - details, links, directions.

Here is the 2008 story:

Take a look at the photo. That's the field at Gettysburg. The structure you see in the distance is the place where President Abraham Lincoln stood and delivered the Gettysburg Address.

Click on the photo to enlarge it in a new window

Since that day in 1863, there have been no barbecues, no parties, no bands and no beer guzzling at Gettysburg. That field, along with the nation's national cemeteries, are the places where Memorial Day is really and truly honored and kept.

The parties, the noise and the booze are fine - IF - you also set aside one day to truly honor Memorial Day in some real and meaningful way. Memorial Day is Monday. Have your parties on Saturday and Sunday, but on Monday, please ... show respect.

"If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us"

What is an appropriate way to remember the sons, the daughters, the husbands, wives, parents, brothers, sisters and friends who have died in this war? If you have lost someone, I'm willing to bet that you're not in a mood to have a party with all your friends and get in as many laughs as you can. If your neighbors remembered the death of your family member with a drunken party or a barbecue complete with dancing and music, you would be offended.

So, why is it that so many Americans do things on Memorial Day that are so deeply insulting and painful and hurtful to those of us who have lost loved ones to the insanity of war? Why? How can people be so mean and self-absorbed to take such a precious remembrance and throw it into the mud and dance all over it?

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic"

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. It was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The best way to develop a sensitive, loving and appropriate feel for Memorial Day and what it means to so many Americans (and our numbers are unfortunately growing as Iraq deaths continue to climb) is to take just a few minutes out of your life to slowly, carefully and respectfully read every word written in General Order No. 11. This is the document that started Memorial Day. The words ring out just as clear and true today as they were when they were penned. Here are those words:

HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

1. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

2. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

3. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective. By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.


MEMORIAL DAY IN SAN FRANCISCO:

The premier Memorial Day event in San Francisco is the remembrance ceremonies at San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio. Located right on the spot where the Pacific Ocean meets San Francisco Bay at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco National Cemetery is one of the nation's oldest and most beautiful.

In 1884, San Francisco National Cemetery became the first West Coast cemetery to be part of the national cemetery system. Soldiers were buried here at the post cemetery as early as 1849. Through time, the cemetery expanded from 9 acres to its present 27 acres and contains over 30,000 graves, including those of 35 congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

10 AM: Arrive at the Presidio's Main Post parade Ground at 10:00 AM. The parade will get underway at 10:30. Participants will march from the Parade Ground to San Francisco National Cemetery.

11 AM: The memorial service at the Cemetery will commence at 11:00 AM.

1 PM: The annual Interfaith Peace Service will commence at 1:00 PM at the Presidio Interfaith Chapel near the cemetery.

Parking is available near the Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., Presidio Main Post. MUNI also provides bus transportation right to the Presidio.

Lost Boat Ceremony aboard the USS Pampanito - Memorial Day - 5 PM:

A very special ceremony honoring the 52 submarine boats lost during World War II along with the lives of 3,5000 brave American submariners will be conducted by WWII veterans aboard the USS Pampanito. If you would like to attend this very special and free event please follow this link to: Lost Boat Memorial Aboard USS Pampanito - San Francisco.

A long-standing U.S. Naval tradition, the Lost Boat Memorial, will take place aboard the USS Pampanito, a WWII submarine, which is permanently docked at Pier 45 near Fisherman's Wharf. The ceremony will take place at 5 PM on Memorial Day Monday and is free of all charge to everyone who wants to attend and honor the lost sailors of the United States Navy Submarine Service. A performance of echo taps will be performed in honor of our lost submariner heroes.

Resources:
Lost Boat Memorial Aboard USS Pampanito - San Francisco
Memorial Day Event Schedule - Presidio of San Francisco
Important warning about San Francisco taxicabs!
The Presidio of San Francisco, National Park Service
San Francisco National Cemetery
History of San Francisco National Cemetery
Interfaith Chapel at the Presidio (old Main Post Chapel)
San Francisco Office of Veteran Affairs
American Legion Post 448 - The Alexander Hamilton Post
SFMTA/Muni (public transportation in San Francisco)
Golden Gate Bridge & Transportation District

Related articles of interest from Sam Spade's San Francisco:
Presidio of San Francisco: New Developments
Army National Guard Gets New Lakota Helicopters
USS Essex on Station to Help Cyclone Victims in Burma
USS Michael Murphy - U.S. Navy's Newest Destroyer
U.S. Army Soldiers Bob Mason & Joe Meyer Come Home After 58 Years MIA
Jonathan "Jake" Yelner of Lafayette Killed in Afghanistan
USS North Carolina (SSN 777) Nuclear Submarine Launched
B-24 Aircrew From WWII Found & Brought Home
Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco: Clowns, Buffoons and Fools
Korean War Army Soldiers Found & Returned Home
Mather AFB Airman Missing Since 1942 Finally Found!

Other Resources and Information about the Presidio of San Francisco:
California State Military Museum: History of the Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco: National Park Service
The Presidio Trust
The Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Presidio Golf Course & Clubhouse
Presidio of San Francisco: history of by GlobalSecurity.org
Presidio History: National Park Service
Presidio History: the Presidio Trust
Presidio of San Francisco: Wikipedia
History of the San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio
San Francisco National Cemetery: Wikipedia
List of Historic Sites at the Presidio
List of Architectural Sites at the Presidio
List of Nature and Recreational Sites at the Presidio
Event Venues Available for Rent at the Presidio
LucasFilm - The Letterman Digital Arts Center at the Presidio
Restaurants at the Presidio
Trails and Scenic Overlooks at the Presidio
Crissy Field
Golden Gate Bridge
Presidio Public Transit
Printable Map of the Presidio



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