Cape Girardeau Civil War hero

Cape Girardeau had many heroes to thank this past Veterans Day. I would like to mention one, Washington Giboney.

Washington Giboney was a black Civil War soldier who left Cape Girardeau, traveled to Michigan and joined the 102nd Colored Infantry. The fact that he volunteered to save the Union speaks for itself.

After the Civil War, Washington came back to Cape Girardeau to raise a family. With all the southern sympathizers around, that was a brave thing to do.

It's not only what a soldier does in battle that makes him a hero, it's also how he lives his life after the war.

Washington is buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery near Dutchtown.

Thank you to Washington and to all veterans, both past and present.

RONALD BEASLEY, great-grandson of Cynthia Ann (Giboney) Joyce, Cape Girardeau