Since real estate developers built a causeway off Marblehead Peninsula, visitors have been able to pay a toll and drive over to see the Johnson's Island cemetery. There is a historical marker at the entrance road near 10414 Bay Shore Road, east of the communities of Lakeside and Marblehead. Sullivant Ave., a street running parallel to Broad. The cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but is open until 7 p.m. on Memorial Day and Jefferson Davis Day. Memorial Day as a national holiday is observed the last Monday in May in most states.
Tomorrow is the legal holiday that began as Decoration Day in memory of dead servicemen of all wars.
The birthday of Davis, president of the Confederacy, is June 3. Last month, I arrived at Camp Chase burial ground when a re-enactment group was packing up after a private memorial service. The men in uniform used to participate in the annual June program but are not doing so now. Last year, they were angered when an American Legionnaire tore down the Confederate flag during the ceremony. Without investigating the incident, I feel that a place where thousands of southern soldiers were imprisoned and 2,260 died should be able to fly the flag of the defeated along with the Stars and Stripes.