HOPE – In northeast Bartholomew County, visiting eight different cemeteries on Memorial Day has become a tradition handed down from generation to generation for the past 70 years.
There were multiple examples of three generations of the same family who made the trip Monday, according to American Legion Post 229 commander Larry Wheeler. A full service is conducted at each stop to salute and remember deceased veterans, Wheeler said.
After gathering at the American Legion Post on the west end of Washington Street in Hope, participants made their first stop at Sharon Cemetery on County Road 700E.
While only a few outside spectators normally attend this first service, it is important to post members to stop there to honor Jonathan Moore, a bodyguard for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The section of State Road 46 West, from State Road 11 west to the west side of Interstate 65, is named in Moore’s honor.
Moore is buried in Sharon Cemetery with his wife, Elizabeth, daughter Hanna Moore Rogers, and two additional generations of the family, Post 229 Adjutant A.C. Reeves said.
From there, the services moved on to the Newbern Cemetery. While many deceased individuals who fought for their country were laid to rest there, much of the service is devoted to Civil War veterans.
While there are two cemeteries in the town of Hartsville, Legion members and their families conducted only one service in the Hartsville Town Square. It usually draws a large crowd because the service includes a recognition of hometown hero Private Barton Mitchell. He is best known in the history books for accidentally stumbling upon Confederate special orders from Gen. Robert E. Lee. It is said the Union Army was able to put Mitchell’s discovery to good use.
From Hartsville, the procession moved on to three additional cemeteries. About 20 spectators attended the service at the Hawcreek Church Cemetery, but only a few came to the Simmons Cemetery near the junction of County Road 625E and County Road 950N, as well as the Old St. Louis Cemetery along County Road 670E.
Finally, the Legion members and their families made their way make to Hope. A memorial was held for those lost at sea at the West Jackson Street Bridge, on the town limits.
The largest tribute that drew the most people took place at 11 a.m. next to the Veterans Memorial at the northeast corner of the Hope Moravian Cemetery. Post commander Larry Wheeler said the service usually draws between 100 and 200 people.
This year’s program during the final service included comments from Wheeler, as well as the recitation of eight names of deceased veterans recently added to the granite stone memorial.
For the complete story and more photos, see Tuesday’s Republic.
