VFW Post 5702 Honors Fallen Veterans

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: May 31, 2010

Submitted by Doug Neralich

In the early evening of Friday, May 28, 2010, several members of Franklin Lakes VFW Post 5702 placed flags on the graves of over 500 veterans buried at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes, NJ. According to Post 5702 Advocate Dominic Stimola, “many of the men who participated in this flag detail have been placing flags at this cemetery for more than three decades. As veterans,” he continued, “this is just one of the important activities in which we will participate this Memorial Day weekend to honor America’s veterans.”

Originally known as Decoration Day because it was a day set aside to decorate the graves of America’s Civil War dead, Memorial Day can trace its origin to a proclamation of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Civil War soldiers and sailors. On May 30, 1868, General John A, Logan of the GAR, issued General Order Number 11. It stated:

The 30th 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 churchyard 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.

Members of Post 5702 will be marching in the Oakland, Franklin Lakes, and Wyckoff Parades this Memorial Day weekend.