“The Danger of Forgetting”
Home › History › Community Life › Memorial Day in Sandwich
Long before modern Memorial Day ceremonies, the people of Sandwich gathered together each spring to honor those who had served, and those who never came home.
In 1922, the community once again paused to remember its fallen heroes. Veterans marched through town, patriotic songs were sung beneath the trees, and families gathered together for a day that was both solemn and deeply meaningful.
Reading the old newspaper account today, more than 100 years later, you can still feel the emotion behind the words.
And maybe most importantly, you can feel how much remembrance mattered to the people of Sandwich.
A Day of Remembrance
The June 1, 1922 edition of the Sandwich Free Press devoted a large article to the town’s Memorial Day observance.
The article opened with reflections on memory, sacrifice, and the cost of war:
“Already, it seems, the public has forgotten the horror of the last war… But never will it forget those who laid down their lives in defense of their country.”
Even a century later, those words still feel remarkably modern.
The article also reflected on the origins of Memorial Day itself, tracing traditions of honoring the dead from ancient times through the Civil War era and into the early twentieth century.
At the time, many Americans still commonly referred to the holiday as “Decoration Day.”
The Passing of the Civil War Generation
One of the most powerful parts of the article is its recognition that the Civil War veterans of Sandwich were growing old.
For years, Memorial Day observances in Sandwich had largely been organized by members of the G.A.R. — the Grand Army of the Republic — made up of Union Civil War veterans.
But by 1922, time was taking its toll.
The newspaper wrote:
“Father Time has thinned the ranks of the boys of ’61–’65…”
The article noted that the work of organizing Memorial Day ceremonies was beginning to pass to younger veterans and members of the American Legion.
Photo restored by Herk Schmidt
Sandwich G. A. R. Memorial Day, 1918
Many in attendance reportedly “dropped a tear” as they watched the aging Civil War veterans take part in the ceremony.
That small line says a lot.
The people gathered there understood they were watching the end of an era.
The Parade Through Sandwich
The Memorial Day parade formed at the corner of Main and Church Streets before marching north on Main Street and west on Third Street to the park.
Leading the procession was the Sandwich Union Band.
Following behind were members of the American Legion, the G.A.R., the Women’s Relief Corps, city officials, the fire department, school officials, and citizens riding in automobiles.
It must have been quite a sight.
One can easily imagine residents lining the streets as flags waved and patriotic music echoed through downtown Sandwich.
“The Danger of Forgetting”
At the park, the ceremony included patriotic music, prayers, and speeches.
School children sang The Star Spangled Banner under the direction of Mrs. N. M. Ogilvie, and Rev. J. J. Hitchens of the Methodist Church delivered the main address.
His subject was:
“The Danger of Forgetting”
According to the newspaper, Rev. Hitchens reminded the audience never to forget what the men of:
- 1776
- 1812
- 1861
- and 1918
had done for their country.
It was a message that clearly stayed with those in attendance.
And honestly, it still carries weight today.
Oak Ridge Cemetery
After the ceremony concluded, members of the American Legion and G.A.R. traveled to Oak Ridge Cemetery, where the graves of local veterans were decorated with flowers and flags.
That final act brought the day to a close.
Not with celebration.
But with remembrance.
Why This Still Matters
Old newspaper articles sometimes do more than simply report events.
Sometimes they preserve emotion.
This 1922 account reminds us that Memorial Day in Sandwich was never just another date on the calendar.
It was personal.
Families remembered fathers, sons, brothers, neighbors, and friends who had served and sacrificed.
And for at least one day each year, the town came together to make sure they would not be forgotten.
Facts at a Glance
- Memorial Day observance held in Sandwich: May 30, 1922
- Reported in the Sandwich Free Press, June 1, 1922
- Parade began at Main and Church Streets
- Parade route traveled north on Main and west on Third
- Ceremony held in the park
- Oak Ridge Cemetery visited afterward for decoration of graves
- American Legion increasingly taking leadership role from aging G.A.R. veterans
- Main address delivered by Rev. J. J. Hitchens: “The Danger of Forgetting”
Continue the Story
Research & Sources
- Sandwich Free Press, June 1, 1922
- Local newspaper archives
- Historical accounts of Memorial Day / Decoration Day traditions