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News Updates
'Traditional' Memorial Day Service Conducted On Friday
Sun Photo by Jim Feltman. Linda Chappell, commander of the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 64, places a single red rose before white crosses bearing the names of Greene County’s World War I dead during Friday morning’s Memorial Day service at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery. She also placed roses before groups of crosses bearing the names of the county’s deceased service members from the World War II, Korea and Vietnam conflicts.
Source: The Greeneville Sun
by Bill Jones
Date: 2008-05-31
Despite gloomy skies that threatened rain, but didn't produce it, about 100 people gathered at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery on Friday for Greene County's traditional Memorial Day service.
Memorial Day honors U.S. men and women who died in military service to the nation.
As is customary, the service began at 11 a.m. atop Monument Hill near the tombs of President Andrew Johnson and members of his family.
Ringing the slopes of the hill below were the graves of military veterans on which small American flags had been placed by Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
The annual observance began with remarks by Lizzie Watts, superintendent of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.
Watts noted that the cemetery is now in its 100th year of operation as a national cemetery.
The cemetery was designated a national cemetery by the U.S. War Department (predecessor of the U.S. Department of Defense) in 1906, although burials of veterans did not begin until 1908, Watts said.
"There's not a more peaceful, relaxing place in Greeneville to be laid to rest," Watts said of the cemetery, noting that President Andrew Johnson, himself, had chosen to be buried atop what is now called Monument Hill.
1,800 Military Veterans
President Johnson and 1,800 veterans (and spouses of veterans) were being honored by Friday's program, Watts said.
"We honor them not just for their devotion to their country or their devotion to their families, but also for devotion to the flag that we are all beneath," she said of the deceased veterans.
Watts, attending her first Memorial Day program since becoming superintendent of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, said, "As we stand in the cemetery, we think about all we have lost."
Watts said. "Everyone of you here has lost someone or been touched by someone in the military. It could be a father. It could be a brother. Nowadays, it could be a mother or a sister."
Veterans, she said, are part of America's heritage. "And they are part of what makes this the greatest country in the world."
In recent years, Watts said, about 50 burials of military veterans have been conducted annually at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery.
During her remarks, she asked the audience to rise and salute the veterans who had been responsible for putting together the Memorial Day program.
American Legion Hosts
Hart Covington, commander of Post 64, sponsors of the event, then welcomed visitors and led the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Covington also recognized the Greeneville-Greene County Honor Guard. "Their main purpose is to perform military funeral services," Covington said. "In the last year, they have conducted over 80 funerals, expending 2,000 volunteer hours. "If you see these guys, say thank you. They do a great job."
He also thanked all those who helped place small white crosses bearing the names of Greene County residents who died in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War on the hillside for Friday's ceremony.
In addition, he said, he wished to thank Boy Scouts for placing flags on all graves.
Covington also noted that he had a telephone call on Friday morning from a friend who had been concerned about the possibility of rain. "He said, 'what happens if it rains today?' "
"I got to thinking that these people (the veterans buried in the cemetery) didn't have a choice in the weather. That's why we're here today."
Ted Webb, a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Air Force, delivered the invocation, and later led the benediction, for the ceremony.
'Gold Star' Mothers
The ceremony also included recognition of the "Gold Star Mothers" who were in attendance. Louise Rippetoe and Mary Malone, who received single red roses during the ceremony from Linda Chappell, of the American Legion Post 64 Ladies Auxiliary, single red roses.
Rippetoe and Malone lost sons during the Vietnam War.
Chappell also placed a single red rose in front of the four groups of white crosses that denoted Greene County's war dead.
Marine Lance Corporal Rae Rippetoe was killed in Vietnam in November 1970, and Army Corporal William Malone was killed there in June 1969.
Grady Barefield, first vice commander of American Legion Post 64, read General Order 11 of the 19th and early 20th Century fraternal organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic.
That order is often credited with calling for the first observance of a national "memorial day" on May 30, 1868, some three years after the end of the Civil War.
"The 30th day 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 during the late rebellion (the American Civil War)..." Barefield read, in part, from Gen. John Logan's order to the local units of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization composed of Union Army veterans of the Civil War.
After Barefield read the general order, Guy Davis a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer who served as a non-commissioned officer in a U.S. Army infantry unit during the Vietnam War addressed the audience.
Davis Speaks
Rep. David Davis, R-1st, of Johnson City noted that there are many stories about the origin of the holiday now called Memorial Day.
Davis said it isn't important who was first. "What is important is that Memorial Day was established," he said. "It's not about division. It's all about reconciliation. It's about coming together to honor those who gave their all to preserve the freedom that you and I enjoy today."
He said the Revolutionary War was fought to defend "the self-evident truth that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights ... "
Davis said, "Tyranny does not reign in America today, as it does in many other places around the globe, because so many have loved this country more than they loved their own lives and were willing to go when called to sacrifice for our great nation."
David told the audience, "Whatever we do, we must never forget the many soldiers still in Vietnam, Korea and other theaters of war ... where brave Americans still lie missing in action."
In closing, Davis said, "I pray that God might bless you and that God will continue to bless this great nation, the United States of America."
The program concluded with the firing of a 21-gun salute by members of the Greeneville-Greene County Honor Guard and the playing of "Taps."
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