On Memorial Day, I took the boys to Spring Grove Cemetery to see a Civil War group. Memorial Day started after the US Civil War (1861-1865) by union women who went to lay flowers on the graves of soldiers. The cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 6,000 Civil War soldiers. I had never been to the cemetery or seen this observance, so it was educational for me.
We arrived just before the ceremony started. There was a re-enactment group of soldiers and a group of women and children.
The soldiers at Parade rest, leaning on their guns, one foot behind the other. Very different from parade rest in the US army today.
There were some speakers and then 2 women laid a wreath at the foot of the civil war cannon that is permanently placed in the cemetery.
The union soldiers performed a 21 gun salute. The guns are single shot muskets, so between each volley, they had to reload. It made it more clear the danger the soldiers faced during the war as they had to reload their gun each time.
resting their heads on their guns during a prayer.
After the ceremony, we were invited to place flower petals on the graves of the soldiers. The graves are so small, just the name and the unit the soldiers fought with on the headstones.
BB helped lay flower pedals too.
There was rain in the morning as we stood at the ceremony- pretty fitting for a somber observance. This year was the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. It hit me that Bug will live to see the 200th anniversary of the civil war. it is amazing to think about this war being 150 years ago, when it is so much a part of our life. The speakers also talked about it being close to the 100th anniversary of WW1 and it is the 70th anniversary of WWII.
Love and hugs,
Deb
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