WHITE HALL — Col. Franz Amann, commander of the Pine Arsenal, told a Memorial Day ceremony at the White Hall Museum that this nation’s citizens should understand the word “decorate” on the uniquely American observance.
“Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day,” the Army officer told a large crowd gathered at Veterans’ Monument in front of the museum. “To really get the significance of that title, ‘Decoration Day,’ we must truly understand what it means to ‘decorate.’ ”
While Americans decorate their houses, yards and vehicles for birthdays, homecomings and holidays, the word “decorate” has a more noble origin, Amann explained. In Latin, the root “decus” means pride and dignity; honor, distinction and glory; grace and beauty. In ancient Rome, a military decoration was all of these things.
“Roman soldiers were awarded crowns, necklaces and armbands to wear as signs of their valor, but our military decorations had a more humble beginning,” the base commander added. “In fact, it was a simple piece of cloth, a decoration that may have saved our Army.”
At the end of the Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army was short of supplies, rations and money. By August 1781, Congress couldn’t afford to pay the army’s officers, let alone those honored with battlefield commissions, Amann noted.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Washington created two awards for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers: the Badge of Distinction, equivalent to a service stripe, and the Badge of Military Merit.
“Our oldest decoration for individual acts of conspicuous gallantry was a simple purple cloth heart embroidered with the word ‘Merit,’ ” Amann said.
The Medal of Honor was created in 1861 during the Civil War, and on Washington’s 200th birthday in 1932, the War Department revived the Purple Heart, Amann reminded the veterans present for the ceremony. The latter is still inscribed with the word “merit,” but is now awarded to those wounded and killed in action.
“Decorating military service is common throughout the world and honoring sacrifice is not unique to America,” Amann noted. “However, Memorial Day is a holiday that is uniquely American.”
The armies of the North and South sustained 600,000 dead during the Civil War and the simple act of honoring service and decorating soldiers’ graves with the flowers of May gave birth to Memorial Day, he added.
Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day on May 13, 1868, “because it was not the anniversary of a battle.”
Barbecues, parades and concerts light up our nation with pride, Amann emphasized.
“But celebrate with a purpose,” he reminded those assembled in front of the museum. “Celebrate to decorate. Decorate those who gave their lives for our nation, and decorate their families. Decorate the difference they made in your lives.”
Army Air Corps veteran Harry Sy Joe, 100, assisted by retired veteran Bill Covey, placed the memorial wreath, assisted by members of the White Hall JROTC. Sy Joe, a native of China, came to the United States at age 10 and volunteered for military service.
The 106th Army Band from Camp Robinson performed a musical tribute to the veterans and the fallen. Richard A. Bailey Jr., a member of the faculty of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, also performed.
Billy Coble, master of ceremonies, read the names of those killed and missing in action and the memorial bell was sounded by Mary Lou Mauldin, museum director, with each name. Active and retired military personnel were recognized during the program.
Members of ABATE and the Fallen Riders motorcycle clubs and other local motorcycle riders rode in the procession.
A flyover at the end of the ceremony was conducted by the Razorback Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association based at Pine Bluff’s Grider Field.