Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR, laid a wreath at the Memorial Day ceremony at Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg to honor all veterans who so valiantly served our country.
The wreath was placed at the stone recognizing Revolutionary War veterans buried in Saline and Gallatin counties.
In 1931, a plaque was originally placed on the Saline County Courthouse lawn listing the names of the Revolutionary soldiers buried in Saline County. In 1967, when the old court house was being demolished, it was rescued and moved to Sunset Lawn Cemetery.
Our Revolutionary War veterans are Reuben Bramlet, Malachi Hereford, Lewis Howell, Peter Niswonger, William Rouarke (Roark), Samuel Elder, Elias Porter and Thomas Posey. These individual grave sites are scattered throughout the county, and each grave was marked with a plaque by the Michael Hillegas Chapter.
Each year, the Michael Hillegas Daughters remember our Revolutionary War veterans and patriots on Memorial Day.
Members attending the ceremony were Kathy R. Morris, regent; Sharon L. Tanner, vice regent; Sarah Drone; Candy Duncan Evans; Cheri McClusky and Delores Vick.
Since 1776, military personnel killed in all wars, in defense of our country, numbers more than 1 million. In the Civil War, the number was around 500,000, the most of any other war. (Department of Defense/PBS)
God bless America
As Americans, we recognize the American flag as one of the most important symbols that represents the ideals for which America stands. We must respect it and protect it ... and keep it flying! Days to fly the flag in June are Flag Day, June 14; and Father's Day, June 18.
Did you know that there have been 27 official versions of the American flag? Every star represents a state in the union. One star is added every time a new state is admitted to the union; however, that star is not added until the Fourth of July, following the admission of the state.
Originally, there was no specific order for the placement of the stars, so the pattern was always changing. That practice stopped in 1912, when the 48-star flag was adopted and the exact size of the flag, shape, stars and proportions were specified thereafter.
Alaska, the 49th star, was admitted in 1959 with Hawaii becoming the 50th state in 1960. The 50-star flag is the longest flying flag in U.S. history.
Do you know which star represents Illinois? Illinois was admitted to the union on Dec. 3, 1818, and appeared on the fourth U.S. flag design, being the 21st star. It is on the fourth row, the fourth star from the left.
Contact us
Membership in NSDAR is a unique opportunity to honor one's lineage and heritage as a descendant of a patriot of the American Revolution. An applicant must prove direct lineal bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided the fight for American independence as a soldier or patriot. Contact the Michael Hillegas registrar Janice Hall (618) 313-0060 or any other member for information on how to join.
