On a beautiful Saturday in Kentucky, June 16, 2007, the John Hunt Morgan Camp, along with members of the Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, gathered to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day at the Pewee Valley Cemetery. As we gathered under the shade of some grand old trees, we were able to look out upon the graves of over 300 Confederate soldiers, freshly decorated with the beloved flag that they once followed proudly.

This year we were greatly blessed to receive a rousing speech by compatriot Sam Flora, who has done extensive research into the men who once lived at the Kentucky Confederate Home at Pewee Valley and are now buried in the cemetery there. Through Sam’s detailed stories and anecdotes, these men once again came to life as we could almost see them charging across the famous battlefields where they had once fought. Sam thrilled us with stories like the one about the man who had stood with John B. Gordon and the famous 6th Alabama at Sharpsburg. Sam also shared the story of another man, originally from Virginia, who had served under Pickett and had made the famous charge at Gettysburg.

We were heartened to learn how well represented our little cemetery is with so many brave soldiers of the South. In fact, Sam told us how there is at least one soldier from every state in the Confederacy buried there. We also learned about the hardships they had suffered as so many of them had been either wounded or captured, or both. Sam concluded his speech with stories of the men as they had finished their days, always proud of their service and their beloved flag.

Our memorial service ended with the thundering applause of, not only those present, but also the loud thunderclap of the cannon graciously provided by Lyon’s Battery, commanded by Doug Thomas. If you were unable to attend this year’s Confederate Memorial Day service, then make plans now to join us next year, because this is a memorable event.