Monday, May 31, 2021
Charles Sumner Post #25, Grand Army of the Republic Painting by Allen Johnson
On May 5, 1868, a proclamation calling for Decoration Day to be observed as an annual national holiday was issued by General John A, Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. This federal holiday – now known as Memorial Day – is a day set aside to honor military personnel who have died in the performance of their duties while serving in the United States Armed Services. For many years after its founding, members of G. A. R. Post #25 walked in a parade of honor to the local cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of both Black and White veterans. Since re-opening to the public in 2015, Sumner Hall has carried on the tradition by holding a service on Memorial Day.
Sumner Hall honored military veterans in 2021 at Chestertown’s Memorial Park. The ceremony featured song and the spoken word by members of Sumner Hall’s Board of Directors and representatives of youth groups Rising Sons, GLOW and Minary’s Dream Alliance.
View Our Memorial Day Celebration