Feature Article on Memorial Day.
TOPIC: EVENTS & CIVIL WAR
Written by David Lodge in June,
1997
SIDNEY MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION |
MEMORIAL
DAY CEREMONIES 1997: Troops of the 94th O.V.I. Civil War re-enactment group led by Captain
Doug Slagel joined the Society on Courtsquare to
honor
On May 25, 1997, I watched, with more than passing interest, as a small company of Union soldiers erected their campsite for an overnight stay on the lush spring grass of our Courthouse Square. As townsfolk arrived to greet and view this contingent of Civil War soldiers, which included a petite female recruit, the troopers began to drill and march up and down. Resplendent in their blue uniforms, they showed a brashness and pride that transcended the dark clouds and rain of the day. The scene moved me to cry as I raised my voice to all who would hear me that the rain was simply the tears of the 359,528 Union casualties that included 110,070 killed in battle or dead from their wounds, 224,586 dead from disease and 24,872 dead from other causes. With the ending of the soldiers’ activities, adults and children entered the camp to engage these "men of blue" in conversation before crossing Ohio Avenue to enter and tour the grand Monumental Building. Each individual who traversed its threshold contributed to the new awareness within our community, that this historic monument, representing our past, is an important part of our future. If only she could have been decorated in red, white and blue bunting, much as she was when first dedicated to public service. Perhaps, in time, such decorations will come. Memorial Day, May 26, 1997, brought an even greater amount of townsfolk to our square, bathed in sunlight, to honor the dead from America’s wars. It is somewhat troubling to me, however, that this respect and honoring of those who died begins, it seems, with General Logan’s orders to keep alive the memory of the Civil War dead. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
