Remembering Confederate Memorial Day - Essay by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw and he's a member of the Chattahoochee Guards Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

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Remembering Confederate Memorial Day – - Essay by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

If you were to ask your Grandfather about Confederate Memorial Day, he might tell you a story from the past when children grew up to be proud of their ancestors and were taught American History in school. He might tell you about the time school boys and girls walked in the Confederate Memorial Day Parade with the Veterans.

Once upon a time schools and merchants closed their doors for Confederate Memorial Day and many thousands would gather at the local cemetery for a day of speeches, singing and remembrance of the brave soldiers buried there. Old Veterans saluted as children lay flowers on Hero's graves. The people stood up reverently as the band played "Dixie."

A short distance from the Marietta National Cemetery is the Historic Marietta Confederate Cemetery located near the Marietta, Georgia square and off Powder Springs Road. For over One Hundred years the United Daughters of the Confederacy have sponsored Confederate Memorial Day observances to the men and women who defended home and family during the War Between the States of 1861-1865.

Inscribed on Marietta's Confederate monument, erected in 1908 by the UDC, are the words, " To the 3,000 soldiers in this cemetery, from every Southern state, who fell on Georgia soil. In defense of Georgia rights and Georgia Homes." There are many other like monuments erected a century ago by the Ladies Memorial Association and United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Old Times Will Not Be Forgotten in 2005!

The Sons of Confederate Veterans invites you to their 10th Annual Confederate Memorial Day Parade on Sunday, April 24, 2005, in Marietta, Georgia. The parade will begin at 1:30PM from the staging area and parking lot of the First Methodist Church of Marietta. The Parade will then proceed on Powder Springs Road to Marietta Confederate Cemetery where the United Daughters of the Confederacy will conduct their annual Confederate Memorial Day Service.

April is Confederate History and Heritage Month and in 2005, has been Proclaimed by the State of Georgia, Cobb County Board of Commissioners, City of Marietta, Georgia and many other counties, cities and states.

"They sleep the sleep of our noble slain, Defeated, yet without stain, proudly and peacefully."---Inscribed on the Marietta Confederate Cemetery Monument.

Be a part of history and bring your family to celebrate over a century of tradition on Confederate Memorial Day in Marietta, Georgia and throughout the South. Contact your local historical organization about the events being planned.

Lest We Forget!

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States. His email is: cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net.