The Confederates

Think Progress: According to Professor David Blight of Yale University, the first Memorial Day took place on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC, after a group of African-Americans, mostly former slaves, gave 257 Union soldiers a proper burial. The black community in Charleston then consecrated the new cemetary with “an unforgettable parade of 10,000 people,” led by 3,000 black school children. It was initially called “Decoration Day.” 

On this day we remember American soldiers - many of whom died fighting Confederate soldiers - who made war on the United States - in order to preserve slavery.  We should also remember that the modern GOP deliberately built its base with racists, to this day has its political and philosophical power base in the confederate south, and has a base that for the most part prefers the confederate flag to the American flag.  Despite their eagerness for war we can't imagine that conservatives really appreciate this holiday, especially given its true origins.  Certainly their unwillingness to take care of soldiers once home from war indicates that.