South Carolina can take pride knowing that the earliest commemoration of our fallen heroes took place in Charleston. What is now Hampton Park was the site of a mass grave for soldiers. After the war, Freedmen removed the bodies from the mass grave and gave them a proper burial and memorial service, creating the first Decoration Day.
After World War II, Decoration Day became Memorial Day and since 1971, the holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May.
Tom Thompson, candidate for state superintendent of education, is encouraging all South Carolinians to join in a moment of silence at 3:00 this afternoon to pay tribute to the many soldiers who fought for our freedom.
