MOUND CITY HOLDS MEMORIAL ROLL CALL

Jim Wright, commander of Cairo American Legion Post 406, gave the address.

The 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company G fired a cannon in a salute to veterans buried at Mound City National Cemetery.

"In Flanders Field the poppies blow,

"Between the crosses, row on row.

"We are the dead. Short days ago

"We lived, saw dawn, felt sunset glow."

These words were penned by Canadian Maj. and poet John McCrae, following 17 days of treating injured soldiers during the Ypres Salient campaign of World War I.

"McCrae was venting his anguish at seeing young soldiers die," said Jim Wright, commander of the Cairo, Ill., American Legion Post 406. "The poem, is a reminder that freedom doesn't come easy."

Wright was guest speaker during a special Memorial Day ceremony, held Saturday at the Mound City National Cemetery in Southern Illinois.

"As I look out over the cemetery here, I am reminded of patriotism, valor and sacrifice made through the years," said Wright.

Wright reminded a sizable crowd at the hourlong ceremony that the first Memorial Day was held in 1868 to honor soldiers who died defending their country in the Civil War.

"Today, on Memorial Day, we gather to honor all veterans of all wars," said Wright.

That includes the 368 members of armed forces who are buried in Flanders Field, a U.S. military cemetery near Waregem, Belgium.

Memorial services will be held Monday at Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville, Scott City and Anna.

At the Mound City National Cemetery Saturday morning, flowers were placed on a special wreath during a roll call of a list of 15 people buried at the cemetery at Routes 51 and 37 just west of Mound City.

Names ranged from one of the first soldiers buried in the cemetery through World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, to the Persian Gulf and Balkan Campaign.

The cemetery was initially established as a burial place for those who died at Civil War military hospitals in Mound City and nearby Cairo. The hospitals were established in the two cities in 1861.

The Mound City National Cemetery was among the first cemeteries established during the Civil War. There are more than 2,600 unknown soldiers buried there.

More than 7,500 soldiers are buried at the cemetery.

Miniature flags were placed on each headstone Friday by Meridian High School students and the St. Mary-St. Patrick Catholic Youth Organization.

With a warm day heated by bright sunshine, a larger than usual crowd was on hand for the ceremony Saturday. Following a half-hour of patriotic music via a sound system, the presentation of the colors, James Kinder of Cairo sang the national anthem,.

A theme concerning the cemetery, written by Matthew Lawler, a Meridian High School student, was read by another student, Holly Bierbaum.

The program closed following the laying of wreaths at the base of the giant monument in the cemetery, by members of the Gold Star Mothers, Ladies Auxiliaries, Sons of Union Veterans and POW-MIA members.

The laying of the wreaths was followed by a 21-gun salute and cannon firing by the 8th Illinois Volunteers Infantry Co. G., and the playing of taps by Bobby Hall and Jeremy Parker.

A number of participants were present, including the 1244th Transportation Unit, Illinois National Guard; 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company G; POW-MIA Color Guard; Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; Camp 1802, Sons of the Confederate Veterans of the Civil War; Sons of Union Veterans; and Marine Corps League.

Schedule

11 a.m. -- Osage Centre, Cape Girardeau.

11 a.m. -- Carroll P. Foster Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3455 at Anna.

9 a.m. -- Entrance to Jackson City Cemetery on South High Street, Jackson.

11 a.m. -- Lightener Memorial Cemetery east of Scott City.

11 a.m. -- Perryville, veteran groups to march from American Legion post to the Perry County Courthouse north steps for ceremony in Perryville.