Name/Title
USS Texas (BB 35) “Memorial Day” [Cover]Description
Black cachet of the Texas Lone Star with oak leaves. Written in the circle, "Memoria-In-Aeterna / U.S.S. Texas." Written above stars “19” & “32”. Recognized “MEMORIAL DAY / LONG BEACH inserted between the killer bars. Posted aboard USS Texas on May 30, 1932 to celebrate Memorial Day. Embossed with the official USS Texas seal. Signed on the top by xxx, the Commanding Officer, and the bottom left corner by E.O. Tauer, the cachet designer. Additionally, this cover is addressed to “Mrs. Eric O. Tauer / 2154 Shelby St. / Indianapolis / Ind,” attributed to Tauer’s personal collection.Context
Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.