Remember America's militia
Reasonable people disagree on the origins of what is now Memorial Day. But most accept that the practice of decorating graves of Americans who died defending their country began in earnest by women of the South during the Civil War.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, Commander of the Army of the Republic, was the first to make Memorial Day official with General Order No. 11, which stated in part that, “... 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 ...”
Other than Congress making Memorial Day a national holiday and changing the date to the last Monday in May, America has since honored its fallen heroes from all conflicts pretty much as Logan anticipated with the language of his order, whereby “...posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit...”
When America issued its first call to arms – before it had a professional army – that call went to the militia, which was identified as “all able-bodied men.” Calling themselves the “Minutemen,” because they could be ready to fight on a minute’s notice, they were primarily shopkeepers, craftsmen, farmers, etc. Today, we call them small business owners.
From as far away as Scotland, America’s Minutemen were impressive. Writing about the colonies’ quest for independence in, “The Wealth of Nations,” Adam Smith predicted America would prevail thanks to its militia which “...turns from its primary citizen character into a standing army.”
By the 20th century, state militias were becoming the National Guard. And in 1916, the National Defense Act created another layer of citizen soldiers, the Reserves.
Prior to the war with Spain in 1898, latter-day Minutemen served only on American soil. But ever since, including two World Wars and four major conflicts, America has deployed citizen-soldiers around the world, alongside regular forces. Indeed, in Iraq and Afghanistan, Guard and Reserve members have accounted for one third of U.S. forces, as well as a comparable percentage of casualties.
On this Memorial Day, as we honor all who have paid the ultimate price in service to this country, let’s also remember the long tradition of America’s small business volunteers, including employees, who served honorably and courageously on behalf of a grateful nation.
Write this on a rock... America would not have endured without those who turn from "primary citizen character into a standing army."
Jim Blasingame, Creator/Host of The Small Business Advocate Show
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