Smyrna times., 1904-05-25
MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES NEXT MONDAY
GrBnd Army Veterans of Gen. W. S. Hancock
Post No. 20 G. A. R. to Decorate Graves.

Post No. 20 G. A. R. to Decorate Graves.
at is a holy and wholesome thought TO pray
for the dead" Such is the epitaph upon a tomb
stone in an old Catholic graveyard in the city of
Baltimore, where under shady trees lies the body
of WON an who in her lite was known the
deserted wife of once celebrated player who
long since passed from the stage # mimic and
human life. The stone that marks the grave o.
this once virtuous wife and mother was erected
by her only and dutiful son, and though minds
differ wi h the quotation upon the tombstone as
to pray for the dead is holy and right for as the
tree faeth so it lieth," yet there is thought to
be gathered from this dSputable apOcryphal
quotation by paraphrasing the sentence and say,
'TO remember our loved ones is pure and right"
and as the vete ans and comrades assemble on
Memorial Day a remnant of survivors of a time
when war alarms, the clash of sabre the sing
and sting of the rife ball was a thing of daily
occurrence, when father and son and brother
were contending for what they considered a loyal
duty to the Nation. We will do pure act of
duty in placing over the graves of our departed
| comrades the fragrance of our love and remem-
| brance, the blossoms and rbboned wreaths, liv
ing comrades place upon the tombs of departed
comrades. This floral tribute will like the bod
| les beneath the sod, soon wither and decay while
| our memories will freshen the names of those
we knew in fraternal cOmradeship. Each sue
ceeding Memorial Day finds the ranks of the
veterans decreasing i'll numbers. Soon. a few
short years at most, the dying embers of the last
camp fire will remain unkindled. no picket will
be at the outpost, no sentry on guard. the camp
deserted, the cord that binds us will be lOosened
the earth will receive its dust and the spirit re-
turn to the God who gave it. Our sons and
grandsOns will perpetuate Memorial Day while
American history will ennobe the name of a
veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic.
To the strife and pOmP of civil war that made
sodierly ambition a virtue and Of a necessity
stained with blood, the sword returned to its
scabbsrd in virtuous peace We have said farewell
while a nifcatOn of sisterly States are enjoying
an abiding peace.
Our local Post, Gen. W. :. Hancock No. %,
will meet this Memorial Day thankful in their
hearts that we have united country and at
peace, and we invite the citizens generally and
especially the school children to participate with
US in doing honor to the day with the sincere
hope that patriotism and loyalty to the flag may
be exempliied by spontaneous display of the
Nations emblem, not only upon the school
house, but from every window in our delightful
town, and when We gather standing uncovered
under the heavens of Gods creation in the silent
city of the dead and listen to those ordained to
minister to the widow and the orphan and
preach the eternal truth Il am the resurrection
and the Life" then comrades and citizens alike
can say We have done pure and wholesome act
Of duty. John c. Garner, Commander Charles
Archer, Adjt Post No. %