Editorial: Time for tribute to all veterans

Friday, May 24, 2002 | 4:01 a.m.

Memorial Day hasn't changed too much since it was first observed in 1866 in Waterloo, N.Y., to honor Civil War soldiers who died in battle. At the suggestion of druggist Henry Welles, graves were decorated so that they might stand out in everyone's memory. In his order two years later creating Memorial Day as a national observance, Civil War veteran Maj. Gen. John Logan wrote that "no form or ceremony is prescribed, but (military) posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances will permit."

And so it has been through the decades. There is no form or ceremony that must be followed. We are free to pay tribute as we will and the tribute is now extended to fallen American and allied soldiers of all wars and to all of our veterans who served. This year we add in our tributes the men and women fighting the war against terrorism -- the ones who have fallen and the ones still fighting. We include the guardsmen and reservists who left their civilian lives behind as they answered the call to arms. Wherever they are, we're thinking of them.