FLOWER GIRL DECORATION DAY MEMORIAL

DEDICATED TO THE UNKNOWN DEAD ACCORDING TO WOODLAND CEMETERY HISTORIAN GERALD LEBLANC, THE FIRST DECORATION DAY WAS IN DES MOINES IN 1868. THE PARADE LED BY 12 FLOWER GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE WHO WENT TO THE SOUTH G.A.R. SECTION AT WOODLAND AND LAID FLOWERS AT THE TOMBSTONES OF FALLEN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS. THIS TRADITION CONTINUED, AND MANY YEARS LATER, OLDER SOLDIERS WANTED TO ERECT A MONUMENT THAT INCLUDED THE FLOWER GIRLS.