To all Vets, past and present, on Memorial Day

[arthurlee]

Thank you folks for your service. I see many memorial services honoring vets from all periods including the War Between the States, on both sides.

To the guys who have been to the desert in our most recent theater, thank you for what you are doing for the rest of us. You are a reflection of those who went before you. I was there and know your dedication can not be measured by those who have not seen it.

To those in the heat of it now, my prayers and thanks.

To those around Nasiriyah stay out of that river water! It made me sick.

with gratitude,
Arthur Lee Maxwell, Sr.

[Bummer]

Re: To all Vets, past and present, on Memorial Day

Here is my memorial Day story (2007):

Yesterday was Memorial Day and as a veteran I wanted to go downtown to the observances, but when I got there I realized there wasn't any...so I figured they must be doing it out at the cemetery which is diagonally accross the road from the old plantation I live in. So I go up there...no one there. I see that because Confederate Memorial Day was earlier this month all the CS graves had a Southern Cross flag on them--a lot of rebels in that cemetery! Anyway because I was there I decided to walk around and at least pay my respects to the soldiers there. I found a WWII Major General! Commander of the US 30th Division. Never knew he was buried there. Then in the old part of the cemetery where a lot of Confederates are buried was a CW issue stone--a Yankee! A lone Union soldier is buried accross the street from my place--where the Union had left that cavalry company for three months (until July 28th 1865). His stone is about unreadable so I sat there in front of it and using my fingers and pushing away the moss and lichens I was able to read: W.J. Waggoner, Co. A, 5th Ohio Cav. not sure of the middle letters of his name. How about that?? Chances are really very good he died in my house! I need to try to look him up and find out about him.
He looked so lonely there all neglected in amongst all those rebels so later that afternoon I came back and planted some flowers in front of his stone and left a flag and a repro US belt plate--the plate will probably get stolen right away, but I feel better for having done that...especially on Memorial day.
Now to try to find out more about him....
Isn't that something? Well, it'll be one visited Union soldier grave now you can bet...he's been alone and unrecognized for way too long.

[Becky Morgan]

Re: To all Vets, past and present, on Memorial Day

Would this help?

http://www.ohiocivilwar.com/cwc5.html

[MPDoughBoy153]

Re: To all Vets, past and present, on Memorial Day

not only am I a soldier, Memorial day is also my birthday :)

[Bummer]

Re: To all Vets, past and present, on Memorial Day

Happy belated B-day Doughboy.

Becky, Thanks for that link. I had already tried it myself. It told me that the 5th garrisoned the area--which I knew--but little else. I would need a roster.
But thank you anyway.

S~

[Becky Morgan]

Re: To all Vets, past and present, on Memorial Day

Ah. Try this, from the NPS's Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System

http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/

William J. Waggoner (First_Last)
Regiment Name 5 Ohio Cavalry
Side Union
Company A
Soldier's Rank_In Pvt
Soldier's Rank_Out Pvt
Alternate Name
Notes
Film Number M552 roll 113