Will his daughter write similar notes? (Also, Laurino never writes such nice notes...)
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| Alderman Mell speaking at the 17th PD Town Hall meeting, 2010 |
"Dear 33rd Ward Residents,
Most of us think of the Memorial Day weekend as the start of summer,
although you couldn't tell by the cooler weather we are experiencing. I
suppose we will look back with fondness on such days as these as we
inevitably see the temperatures turn hotter.
However, tomorrow's holiday is rooted in a much more sobering reality.
It started out as “Decoration Day” in rural areas of the South where the
"decorating" of soldiers' graves with flowers around this time of year
was the custom.
Civil War General John Alexander Logan (for whom Logan Square and Logan
Boulevard was named), the commander-in-chief of the organization for
Union Civil War veterans known as the Grand Army of the Republic, issued
a proclamation declaring that "Decoration Day" should be observed
nationwide. General Logan had a distinguished civil career as an
Illinois state senator, a congressman and, eventually, a United States
senator for Illinois.
As a result of General Logan's proclamation, May 30, 1868 is considered
the start of our national commemoration. Today Memorial Day honors all
those heroes who have died in the Civil War and all other wars since, an
estimate than now comes close to a monumental 800,000 lives given in
the service of our country.
So as we fire up our grills and start our picnic season, do not forget
those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and whose
graves are being decorated on this day.
With kindest regards,
Alderman Richard F. Mell"
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