May 2001 Weekly Firesides
Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 06 May 2001
Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.
OPEN CHAT Thursday was great fun.
Not too crowded but comfy :-) Had some good question and answer sessions. I
wanted to add that the John Buford Story (in it's entirety) with gracious
permission from Tom to do so, has been sent to our Webmaster for posting. I need
to update you some on the really neat work going on to provide many Genealogy
materials, files, newsletters, and the Civil War material that we address to a
Genealogy Forum Website so that "All" of you loyal folk can have
access (not just AOL membership). Next week I hope to get URL addresses from our
Webmaster to put in this newsletter permanently for your convience and access.
Wish us luck, I think you'll like this. I'm tickled to death that we can now
give our Non-AOL membership access to the material we do in the Chat Rooms.
We're still receiving some great suggestions and we encourage you to keep
sending them in. Note: the John Buford story was the result of one of those
suggestions.
Jayne, Amy, Tom and I are still churning around with the Schedule of Upcoming
Events for the Summer.
War Between the States (Tracing your Civil War Ancestors)
With HOST GFS Amy and HOST
GFS Wolford on
Friday evenings at 9:00 PM EDT in the Golden
Gates Chat Room
of the Genealogy Forum (ONLY ON AOL) at KEYWORD: ROOTS
* * * * *
Military Families Chat
With HOST GFS Beri, and HOST
GFS Wolford
Wed, 8 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs
Conference Room
of the Genealogy Forum (ONLY ON AOL) at KEYWORD: ROOTS
* * * * *
StateGenSites - Bits of Blue and Gray
http://www.stategensites.com
HOST GFS Jayne is the editor of "Bits of Blue and Gray"
The site is still undergoing major reconstruction but
you can now read all the columns (new ones too!!) at
http://www.stategensites.com/bitsofblueandgray/
Thank you all for your patience.
* * * * *
From: Host GFS [email protected]
eHistory.com Online Magazine - Sultana Article
http://www.ehistory.com/index.cfm
This address puts you on the main page. This site is fascinating with it's Civil
War History section and I'm excited to see them putting a Northwest Florida
Gulfcoast section together as well. Go into the "Articles" section to
get to the Sultana piece. If you have trouble doing that try: http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/features/articles/9906/sultana.cfm
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Jimmy, you probably know all about this site. It looks impressive to me.
The American Civil War Homepage
http://www.sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html
Chuck I do know about it and it is indeed impressive. Impressive enough to share
as many times as someone mentions it. This site was developed and is maintained
by the University of Tennessee - Knotsville.
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Jim, I have an ancestor who died at Gettysburg. I have not been able to find a
list that has names of Gettysburg deaths. His name is De Alton Dwight, he was
from Illinois (well his parents were there). He was a traveling minister
before the war started. Do you have any suggestions? thanks for all the work
you and your team do. Years ago I was a host and it is not easy. thanks again.
{{{Sharon}} have learned from HOST GFS TEG that there is a "Gettysburg
Role of Honor". He's checking.
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
I hesitate to suggest another topic to your already fascinating Weekly
Fireside, but someone in the Charleston, SC area may want to report on the
submarine Hunley, which has recently been raised from the bottom of Charleston
Harbor. Or--and I have not checked this out--there may be a website for those
who are interested in this bit of CW history.
{{{Kashathree}}} Don't you ever hesitate :D It's these inputs that keep our
fire lit.!! Heh Heh As a sidelight, during my website sleuthing this week I
ran across a site that had a CSS Hunley news and status page on it. I'll go
find it again and report the results in the next newsletter.
"I think it is a noble and pious thing
To do whatever we may by written
Word or molded bronze and sculpted
Stone to keep our memories, our
Reverence and our love alive and
To hand them on to new generations
All too ready to forget."
OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT
judgmental and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in
our History, with honesty and truth (as we know it).
We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the
social happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing
of Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save
you a seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of
upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in
the Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.
As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have
entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we
automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly
Fireside."
AND Hey!, TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)
We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire
up" with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more
of you.... Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from
distribution of this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we
will comply with your wishes "post-haste".
Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****
Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts
HOST GFS Amy, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG, HOST GFS Jim and our many
faithful friends :)
05/10/01 - Letters, Songs and Poems night. Send in any material you want read
in the room to HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG or HOST GFS Amy and
we'll be more than happy to do the reading for you :D
5/17/01 - OPEN CHAT
5/24/01 - "Cold Harbor" by Tom Gladwell and read by HOST GFS Jayne
5/31/01 - The Kansas/Missouri Border Wars - by HOST GFS Jim
6/7/01 - OPEN CHAT
6/14/01 - Letters, Songs and Poems night. Send in any material you want read
in the room to HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG or HOST GFS Amy and
we'll be more than happy to do the reading for you :D
We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG, and HOST GFS Amy
Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 13 May 2001
Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.
Civil War History & Genealogy Forum Related Announcements
War Between the States (Tracing your Civil War Ancestors)
With HOST GFS Amy and HOST
GFS Wolford on
Friday evenings at 9:00 PM EDT in the Golden
Gates Chat Room
of the Genealogy Forum (ONLY ON AOL) at KEYWORD: ROOTS
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Rootsweb.com has a website for listing Revolutionary soldiers and includes their
descendants' email addresses. There is also a link for French and Indian
soldiers and their descendant's.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ars/index.htm
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Jim, I have an ancestor who died at Gettysburg. I have not been able to find a
list that has names of Gettysburg deaths. His name is De Alton Dwight, he was
from Illinois (well his parents were there). He was a traveling minister before
the war started. Do you have any suggestions? thanks for all the work you and
your team do. Years ago I was a host and it is not easy. thanks again.
{{{Sharon}} have learned from HOST GFS TEG that there is a "Gettysburg Role
of Honor". He's checking.
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
I have been a reader of the Weekly Fireside for years now. I have spent 21 years
trying to find out who my Dad's parents were, to no avail. My question to you
is"Are there any online records for Merchant Marines for the period of 1917
to 1925? My Dad William Fisher b Feb 1, 1901 or 1902 was too young for the first
War and too old for the second war, so he once told me he was a Merchant Marine.
Would appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank you
Marian
{{{Marian}}} There should be something out there on the Merchant Marines. We'll
see what any Navy experts have to say that read the "Fireside".
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Thank you very much. TEG sent me the entire Buford article last night, its now
in a safe place. Tom's articles are just great, this one particularly so.
Thanks again,
Roy G.
{Roy} You certainly have that right. Tom indeed has a gift.
"I think it is a noble and pious thing
To do whatever we may by written
Word or molded bronze and sculpted
Stone to keep our memories, our
Reverence and our love alive and
To hand them on to new generations
All too ready to forget."
OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental
and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History,
with honesty and truth (as we know it).
We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social
happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of
Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a
seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of
upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the
Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.
As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have
entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we
automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly Fireside."
AND Hey!, TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)
We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire up"
with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more of you....
Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from distribution of
this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we will comply with your
wishes "post-haste".
Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****
Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy and our many faithful
friends :)
5/17/01 - OPEN CHAT
5/24/01 - "Cold Harbor" by Tom Gladwell and read by HOST GFS Jayne
5/31/01 - The Kansas/Missouri Border Wars - by HOST GFS Jim
6/7/01 - OPEN CHAT
6/14/01 - Letters, Songs and Poems night. Send in any material you want read in
the room to HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG or HOST GFS Amy and we'll
be more than happy to do the reading for you :D
We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy
Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 20 May 2001
Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
FOR ALL YOU 1ST TIMERS ON THURSDAY - "WE REALLY WELCOME YOU TO OUR MERRY
BAND" WE ENJOYED HAVING YOU, TRADING QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AND ESPECIALLY
YOUR CAMARADERIE!!! :-)... COME AGAIN OFTEN, WE DO INDEED "RELISH"
YOUR COMPANY..
Every first-timer to the American Civil War History SIG gets put on the
newsletter distribution automatically, because we like to send you a "Thank
You Card" for coming to visit and this is our way of doing so. We hope to
give you an opportunity to jump right in with us. If you desire NOT to receive
the newsletter, then just drop us an email saying UNSUBSCRIBE and we will
quickly remove your screen name from distribution. We certainly don't want to
clog your mailbox with unwanted material. Also many of you pass on the
newsletter to others that don't subscribe to AOL. We really want to thank you
for spreading the word. I would also like to let you know that we would be happy
to add them to our list if they have email of any sort. We distribute everywhere
to those that have requested it. AOL membership is not a requirement although
we'd love to see you in the Chat Room :D
From: [email protected]
Civil War Prisons: History, Controversy, Poetry
http://humwww.ucsc.edu/gruesz/war/history.htm
Military Records: Civil War Prisons
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9787/cwprison.html
Every Day Memorial Day (this was also submitted by AJWRJW)
http://home.ptd.net/~nikki/memorial.htm
Salisbury National Cemetery - Rowan County, North Carolina
http://www.interment.net/data/us/nc/rowan/salisnat/index.htm
Here's how it works... If you are trying to get photographs of a gravesite or
battlefield, to collect for your Civil War ancestor research and records, then
send us a request and we will post it here... Other members see your request,
some being in the near vicinity, are willing to assist, and can email you
directly (This protects your privacy) to work out the details. We HIGHLY
recommend the "Requester" pay for all film costs and any postage
involved for a helping member. This is intended to be a "Free"
assistance between members (with the exception of defraying film and postage
costs). Do unto others as.... you know :-) Keep us posted on how this is
working, so we can share them in the "Fireside"!!
HOST GFS Jim
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANSWER(S) TO YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE BE SURE TO LET US
KNOW!!!!!
Thanks!! - The Editors
We have had some gracious members offer their assistance in this area. Their
screen names and areas they have offered to help in are listed.... Please honor
their "goodness" and don't abuse them :-).... We ask that you do
follow the guidelines indicated above....
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
I have been a reader of the Weekly Fireside for years now. I have spent 21 years
trying to find out who my Dad's parents were, to no avail. My question to you
is"Are there any online records for Merchant Marines for the period of 1917
to 1925? My Dad William Fisher b Feb 1, 1901 or 1902 was too young for the first
War and too old for the second war, so he once told me he was a Merchant Marine.
Would appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank you
Marian
{{{Marian}}} Here's some info sent in by Robin ([email protected])
Thanks Robin :D
HI, = Here's a website that may help Marian looking for info about the Merchant
Marines.
http://home.pacifier.com/~rboggs/INFO.HTML
and here is another one too http://www.crumpler.org/floyd/merchant.htm.
Maybe she will find what she is looking for here, or at least someone who can
steer her in the direction she needs to look!
Robin
"I think it is a noble and pious thing
To do whatever we may by written
Word or molded bronze and sculpted
Stone to keep our memories, our
Reverence and our love alive and
To hand them on to new generations
All too ready to forget."
6/21/01 - The Kansas/Missouri Border Wars - by HOST GFS Jim
We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy
Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 27 May 2001
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* * * * *
* * * * *
This segment is to address specific questions that hit our plate on Thursday
night that we didn't have a chance to answer or needed a bit of time to check it
out. Hope these answer the mail :D
Editor's Note: The new Military Resouces Website has a myriad of options for
you. Here are some the choices: US Military Records, Conscription/Draft Records,
Civil War Battle Names, Secession of the Confederate States, Your Civil War
Ancestors - Where to Begin, Military Resources on the Internet, links to the
Stories, Files and Talks of the American Civil War History Chat on AOL, message
boards and many, many others. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Additional Note from the Webmaster: Although we are thrilled to provide this
area for you now, we want you to know that we are still building it and MORE
files, Regimental Histories, etc., will be available in the near future. Stay
Tuned!
Memorial Day Tribute
read by HOST GFS Amy
The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
No troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow's strife
The warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.
Their shivered swords are red with rust;
Their plumed heads are bowed
Their haughty banner, trailed with dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow,
And the proud forms, by battle gashed,
Are free from anguish now.
The neighing troop, the flashing blade,
The bugle's stirring blast,
The charge, the dreadful cannonade,
The din and shout are past;
Nor war's wild note, nor glory's peal,
Shall thrill with fierce delight
Those breasts that nevermore may feel
The rapture of the fight....
Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead!
Dear as the blood ye gave,
No impious footstep here shall tread
The herbage of your grave;
Nor shall your story be forgot,
While Fame her record keeps,
Or Honor points the hallowed spot
Where Valor proudly sleeps.
by Theodore O'Hara
.................and there you have it!
US Army Military History Institute's Photograph Database card catalog
http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/PhotoDB.html.
The collection of online photographs is available at:
http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/HPOL.html
This one is just great!
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Captain Hugh Boon of the 1st Virginia Cavalry
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvwags/1wvc/1wvc-frm.htm
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
It would be wonderful to have something more on the Revolutionary War before
Independence Day, wouldn't it? I know that most of you focus on Civil War
research, but you might have seen something in your own research that could
help.
{{{{Brenda}}}}} I'm putting this in the "Fireside" because a goodly
portion of our readers are "History Researchers" as well as addicts of
Civil War History.
Gang, Brenda and her team are the group that has so diligently built and are
maintaining the Military Resources WebSite listed above in the newsletter. If
any of you have any Revolutionary War articles or material that you would want
posted (we'll copyright notice them at your desire), send a copy to any of us
Hosts and we'll get it to Brenda.....
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
- An announcement.......
Period funeral services for Confederate Brigadier
General Joseph Burton Johnson will be held on the
weekend of October 26 & 27, 2001, in Fairfield, Texas.
Hosts for the event are the Johnson-Sayers-Nettles
Camp #1012, Sons of Confederate Veterans and Company
A, 12th Texas Infantry Regt.
On Friday the 26th at noon, the General's remains will
be placed in state at the Moody-Bradley House in
Fairfield. The house is a period home built in 1860,
and was visited by the General on many occasions
during his lifetime. The General will lie in state
under 24 hour honor guard until the funeral services
begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 27th.
Prior to the funeral (during this state time) visitors
may enter the home and pay their respects to the
General and his descendants, many of whom will be
attending.
Funeral services are to begin at 10:00 a.m. with
eulogies to be spoken at the Moody-Bradley Home by
members of the Clergy, the Masons, the Texas State
Grange, the family, and the hosts. At approximately
10:45, a period procession will form at the Home, and
proceed 1.3 miles through the City of Fairfield,
directly to the Fairfield City Cemetery. Those
wishing to participate in the procession should be
physically capable of the 1.3 mile march, and be
dressed in period attire. Black mourning for ladies,
and period civilian or military attire for men. Those
wishing to avoid the procession will be allowed to
drive from the home to the cemetery, park, and
position themselves within the cemetery in plenty of
time to view the procession as it enters the cemetery.
At the cemetery, a short masonic ritual will be
performed, as well as ceremonies by the clergy,
followed by a military tribute, to include a 21 gun
salute by full scale period artillery, and volleys of
musketry from the expected 600 or so troops. The
General's Great Granddaughter will be presented with
the silk flags covering the General's casket and all
present will be allowed to offer personal tributes at
the close of ceremonies. We estimate a time frame of
approximately 2-1/2 hours from beginning to
completion.
There are presently plans "in the works" to include
our service with the sesquicentennial celebration for
Freestone County, which will add a myriad of other
attractions to that same date. These attractions
will in no way have bearing nor control on our
ceremony as we are to be the focal point of the
weekend.
For those who wish to arrive on Friday evening, there
are numerous motels within a 30 minute drive of
Fairfield, including, Teague, Mexia, and Buffalo. FYI,
Fairfield is located at the intersection of US Hwy 84
and I-45 about half way between Houston and Dallas.
The entire City is currently undergoing a face lift
for the occasion and promises to exhibit it's
prettiest face for the event. The City of Fairfield,
and Freestone County are giving their unanimous
support to the event, and it will without doubt, be an
event worthy of relating to your own descendants.
Massive press coverage is expected and promised from
print, radio, and television.
* * * * *
From: HOST GFS [email protected]
This was in Tues, 8 May, Springfield MO News Leader, p. 5B:
Discovery of cemetery halts roadwork--Associated Press-Kansas City--
Construction of a new highway in south Kansas City has been halted
by the discovery of a small cemetery dating back to the Civil War era.
State officials are anxious to find any descendants of the Holloway
family who are bured in the cemetery. If the heirs can't be found, the
state will have to get court permission to move the nine graves in the
plot, in order to finish a new Missouri 150.
Construction workers recently unearthed a marble headstone, dating
from 1858, while moving a large section of water pipe.
Archaeologists later found another headstone and evidence of seven
other graves. The site has not been disturbed further.
{{Jayne}} Thanks
* * * * *
From: [email protected]
Celebrate! Holidays In The U.S.A.
Memorial Day
(Last Monday in May)
It was 1866 and the United States was recovering from the long and bloody Civil
War between the North and the South. Surviving soldiers came home, some with
missing limbs, and all with stories to tell. Henry Welles, a drugstore owner in
Waterloo, New York, heard the stories and had an idea. He suggested that all the
shops in town close for one day to honor the soldiers who were killed in the
Civil War and were buried in the Waterloo cemetery. On the morning of May 5, the
townspeople placed flowers, wreaths and crosses on the graves of the Northern
soldiers in the cemetery. At about the same time, Retired Major General Jonathan
A. Logan planned another ceremony, this time for the soldiers who survived the
war. He led the veterans through town to the cemetery to decorate their
comrades' graves with flags. It was not a happy celebration, but a memorial. The
townspeople called it Decoration Day.
In Retired Major General Logan's proclamation of Memorial Day, he declared:
"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of
their country and during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost
every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no
form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way
arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may
permit."
The two ceremonies were joined in 1868, and northern states commemorated the day
on May 30. The southern states commemorated their war dead on different days.
Children read poems and sang civil war songs and veterans came to school wearing
their medals and uniforms to tell students about the Civil War. Then the
veterans marched through their home towns followed by the townspeople to the
cemetery. They decorated graves and took photographs of soldiers next to
American flags. Rifles were shot in the air as a salute to the northern soldiers
who had given their lives to keep the United States together.
In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day and soldiers who had died in
previous wars were honored as well. In the northern United States, it was
designated a public holiday.
In 1971, along with other holidays, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial
Day a federal holiday on the last Monday in May.
Cities all around the United States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday
in May* to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the
service of their country.
Memorial Day is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed forces.
It is also a day for personal remembrance. Families and individuals honor the
memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services, visits to the
cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute mark the day with dignity and
solemnity. It is a day of reflection. However, to many Americans the day also
signals the beginning of summer with a three-day weekend to spend at the beach,
in the mountains or at home relaxing.
In Waterloo, New York, the origin has not been lost and in fact the meaning has
become even more special. President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Waterloo the
birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966, 100 years after the first commemoration.
Every May 30, townspeople still walk to the cemeteries and hold memorial
services. They decorate the graves with flags and flowers. Then they walk back
to the park in the middle of town. In the middle of the park, near a monument
dedicated to soldiers, sailors and marines, the Gettysburg address is read,
followed by Retired Major General Logan's Order # 11 designating Decoration Day.
The village choirs sing patriotic songs. In the evening, school children take
part in a parade.
Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is the nation's largest national
cemetery. Not only are members of the armed forces buried here; astronauts,
explorers and other distinguished Americans have all been honored with a special
place here. President John F. Kennedy is buried in a spot overlooking
Washington, D.C..
Here in the early hours of the Friday morning before Memorial Day, soldiers of
the Third U.S. infantry walk along the rows of headstones. Each soldier stops at
a headstone, reaches to a bundle of flags he is carrying, pulls one out and
pushes it into the ground. These soldiers are part of a special regiment. the
Old Guard. Most consider it a privilege to place flags on the more than two
hundred thousand graves of soldiers who served in the wars or who died in them.
"They have done their job," said one soldier, "and now it's my
turn to do mine."
It is an equal honor to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier all year. There
are actually four soldiers buried in this spot: the unknown soldiers of the two
World Wars, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War. Each soldier represents
all of those who gave their lives in the modern wars. Soldiers from the Army's
Third Infantry guard the tomb twenty-four hours a day. Wreath-laying ceremonies
take place all through the year and people from all over the world come to watch
the changing of the guard. On another hill of Arlington Cemetery there is a mass
grave of unidentified soldiers from the Civil War.
On Memorial Day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a
speech and lays a wreath on the tombs. Members of the armed forces shoot a rifle
salute in the air.
Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths and say prayers. There is a
chance that one of the soldiers buried here is a father, son, brother or friend.
*Some southern states continue to celebrate Memorial Day on various days, i.e.
June 3rd in Louisiona and Tennessee called "Confederate Memorial Day"
and on May 10th in North and South Carolina.
{{Susi}} thanks for sharing.
"I think it is a noble and pious thing
To do whatever we may by written
Word or molded bronze and sculpted
Stone to keep our memories, our
Reverence and our love alive and
To hand them on to new generations
All too ready to forget."
OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental
and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History,
with honesty and truth (as we know it).
We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social
happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of
Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a
seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of
upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the
Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.
As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have
entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we
automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly Fireside."
AND Hey!, TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)
We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire up"
with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more of you....
Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from distribution of
this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we will comply with your
wishes "post-haste".
Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****
Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy and our many faithful
friends :)
5/31/01 - "Cold Harbor - Part II" by Tom Gladwell and read by HOST GFS
Jayne
6/7/01 - OPEN CHAT
6/14/01 - Letters, Songs and Poems night. Send in any material you want read in
the room to HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG or HOST GFS Amy and we'll
be more than happy to do the reading for you :D
6/21/01 - The Kansas/Missouri Border Wars - by HOST GFS Jim
We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy