“Lest We Forget”
When the Civil War was over several Northern and Southern states citizens gathered to remember those who died. This occasion to honor the war dead became known as Decoration Day. The first national celebration took place
Elkridge was a coal camp from the early 1900’s to the mid 1950’s. During the period Elkridge was a coal camp, the United States was involved in three wars out of country. Men of Elkridge made the supreme sacrifice in World Wars one and two and the Korean War.
On Memorial Day it is an American Tradition for the President of the United States to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Picture at right shows President Reagan. Throughout the United States and the World Americans pay tribute to Americans who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
In Elkridge, at an early age, we were taught to honor our dead. The hills had many grave sites and most families had friends or relatives buried in the hills. Before Memorial Day gravesites were cleaned and repaired; flowers were placed on individual graves. Some Military Veterans from Elkridge were members of the Montgomery American Legion Post. On Memorial Day Military Veterans from Elkridge were joined by fellow Legionnaires for Memorial Day services. This ceremony was held at the ball field to honor those who had died in service to America.
The speaker, some one like Mr. Bess from the American Legion in Montgomery, would acknowledge those living in Elkridge who had served in World War 1; a partial list included Frank Birchfield, Joshua Copen, Walter Farthing and Clarence Price. The speaker would acknowledge relatives of others who served to preserve our freedom. In 1947 we had Walter Farthing veteran of World War 1, who had been wounded in France and his son Woodrow, a veteran of World War 2, who had also been wounded in France. Mr. Bess would then encourage us to reflect on our freedom and the peace we enjoy. Mr. Bess told us he knew some of those who died for us, they were just regular ordinary guys who didn't expect to sacrifice their lives and would not have thought of themselves as heroes. They were guys who had hopes for the good days when the war ended. The speaker would tell us about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and Flanders Field an American Cemetery and Memorial near Waregem, Belgium where 400 American's who gave their lives to liberate Belgium in WWI are buried.
In the 5th or 6th grade we were taught the poem “In Flanders Field.” Sometimes a kid from school would recite “In Flanders Field” at the ball field ceremony.
In
Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on
row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The
larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the
guns below.
We
are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw
sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In
Flanders fields.
Take
up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we
throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If
ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though
poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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The firing squad would fire their weapons to honor those who had made the supreme sacrifice to preserve our American way of life; then the young boys would scurry for the shells that were ejected from the rifle. TAPS would sound and most of us would get goose bumps on our arms. We learned that patriotism is a principle; it is our duty to be loyal to that principle, and it is an honor to serve our country. Everyone left the ceremony feeling better because of the sacrifices made by the soldiers and sailors who gave their lives for their country and us.
American Legion Military Funeral
Walter P Farthing at his home in Elkridge 1948
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Funeral Memories Rosemary Farthing
My saddest memory was my Daddy’s death and how broken hearted my Mother was. We were living in company housing and we had to move because Daddy no longer for the company. We moved back to Crab Orchard where we lived before coming to Elkridge and life went on. Quindora and I were working in Ohio when we got the word that Daddy was very ill, we came home that evening. Doctor Davis, the company Doctor, and the Pastor of our church Tom Kincaid were there. We were all there except Woodie, who was in service and we sent word to him. We would all sit around the fireplace in the room next to the room where Daddy was. Doctor Davis came the next morning and went in to see Daddy. Doctor Davis came out and shut the door. We knew it was bad. It was about 10:10 when Doctor Davis told us that Daddy was dead. Everything after that is a blur. Woodie was very upset when he arrived home later that morning and Daddy was already dead. Pastor Kincaid came in the evening after work to see if all were okay. After the funeral we returned to our daily lives and life went on, each with our own thoughts.
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At the cemetery
In view of the family the firing squad fires three volleys over the grave. The bugler sounds TAPS. The flag detail dressed in white gloves folds the flag. The detail leader presents the flag to the family.
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