'We will not forget'

Terry Ramsey places a bouquet of flowers in front of the new veterans memorial at Balltown Cemetery, located about a mile from Horton in Vernon County. The memorial was dedicated in a special ceremony conducted Nov. 9. --Photos by Lynn A. Wade/Daily Mail

It's a phrase made famous and much-uttered in honoring veterans, especially those who died on the battlefield, in President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, uttered just 10 days shy of 145 years before the Nov. 9 dedication of a Civil War segment of the Balltown Cemetery and a new memorial in honor of all veterans who have dedicated service to the United States throughout more than two centuries.

In the tiny cemetery, located about a mile north of Horton, Mo., dozens of local veterans, historians and their families came together to dedicate this graveyard and the memorial that stands within it. It was here that retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Barney J. Fisher echoed those words Lincoln had uttered on Nov. 19, 1863.

"There may not be a lot of people who know where Horton, Mo., is, but we will be able to say that what we have done here today is 'fitting and proper' … in honor of all those who have fought to make a better way of life for all of us," said Fisher, retired, as he addressed the crowd on the chilly but sun-drenched hallowed ground of the Balltown Cemetery.

Fisher also recalled more of Lincoln's words, "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here," that November day so many years ago, but Lincoln was wrong. Vernon Countians have not forgotten and in fact have resurrected a memorial to those Civil War soldiers and another memorial to all soldiers who have served throughout the years. "We will not forget," he said.

During a ceremony dedicating a new veterans memorial at Balltown Cemetery on Nov. 9, Robert Seater receives a proclamation and an American flag from retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Barney J. Fisher, who is currently serving as the 125th District state representative. Seater spearheaded the rehabilitation of a plot dedicated to Civil War veterans and the construction of the new memorial.--Lynn A. Wade/Daily Mail

The crowd cheered as Fisher commended all those who had worked to refurbish the grounds and to prepare the way for the dedication -- local 4-H groups, local historians and others all supported the efforts of Robert Seater, himself retired from the U.S. Navy, and

Tex McKinley. "They turned this into a labor of love," Fisher said. "God bless Balltown Cemetery, and the hands that refurbished it."

The business of the day was two-fold -- to rededicate a section of the cemetery that is the final resting place for several members of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mt. McGregor Post No. 232. This was a fraternal organization of veterans of the Union Army who had served in the Civil War. Corner posts bear the name, as well as Civil War dates, an eagle and 13 stars, representing the 13 original states.

New, granite headstones had replaced the weathered limestone markers that had faded and fallen into disrepair, and an historical marker tells the story of Mt. Megregor Post, which moved to Metz in October 1895 and was given the burial plot in April 1898 by the Little Osage Literary Association. The GAR's last surviving member, Robert C. Elder, died Dec. 8, 1946; and in February 1954, the site was turned over to the Sons of Union Veterans. Members of this group, as well as members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, took part in the Nov. 9 rededication ceremony, and local historian Arnold Schofield presided over events. The colors were presented by Holmes' Brigade, a Civil War re-enactment group. First Lt. Commander of John T. Coffee Camp 1934 Frank Carlton, gave the invocation. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Phelps Camp 66 Senior Vice Commander Jeff Patrick offered historical information about the organization, and the Womens Relief Corps presented a wreath. Carlton also offered a benediction. A gun salute was conducted by a group of veterans in period costume, each representing an era of U.S. history. A Cottey College bugler performed "Taps"

With the GAR plot rededication fresh on their minds, the crowd turned its attention to the dedication of a new memorial, emblazoned with the symbols of branches of the U.S military, flags raised in honor of all U.S. veterans, and in honor of thousands of POWs and MIA still unaccounted for.

The crowd mingled during a short intermission, while television cameras and all manner of other recording devices were staged to preserve this moment in history. Harvey Akin moved his video camera as close to the area as he could. His father, a veteran of World War II, is buried in Balltown Cemetery. "It's historic, what we're doing today," he said. Veterans from several eras -- World War II, the Korean War era, the Vietnam era and times in between gathered in groups and waited with an air of somber respect surrounding them. Larry Selby, standing among fellow veterans, said simply, "We came to honor all those who served, to show our respect and our support." Veterans standing nearby nodded and echoed the sentiment.

The crowd fell silent as a new ceremony began.

Lawrence Cripps, U.S. Air Force, retired, gave the invocation. Representatives pf the Nevada High School Air Force Junior ROTC presented the colors while Bill Martin, Nevada, performed "The Star Spangled Banner."

Fisher addressed the crowd and presented a plaque of appreciation to Seater, and Patrick explained the history of the American soldier as it related to the historical sequence of costumed soldiers, known as "The Parade of the American Soldier."

The Cottey College Wind Ensemble played songs in honor of each branch of the military. A wreath was placed by members of local veterans organizations.

A gun salute was again performed, and a pair of buglers echoed the somber, familiar tune of "Taps."

Seater also addressed the crowd, and additional plaques of appreciation were presented to some of those who had worked to refurbish the Civil War area and to create the new memorial.

As the event became history, the crowd dispersed. Memories had been made, and a memorial had been dedicated.

It was fitting and proper.