Confederate soldiers remembered
May. 29, 2011
STAUNTON — Civil War historian Eric Buckland told those in attendance at the annual memorial service at the Confederate Monument in the Thornrose Cemetery on Sunday to find a Confederate soldier’s grave, write down his name and find out more about him.
"They are worth remembering," he said. "We have to. It’s who we are and who we want to continue to be."
The about 50 people in attendance listened to songs, prayers, stories and admonitions to remember during Sunday’s ceremony.
As people stood and saluted the United States, Virginia and Confederate flags, George Wells, who portrays Robert E. Lee, said he hopes people understand that the ceremony is about remembrance.
"If you don’t learn from heritage you’re going to repeat a lot more in life," Wells said. "What we’re doing is honoring the past, not saying this is what you should do."
Roger Miller of Staunton, whose great-great grandfather, Samuel Miller, fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War said, "It’s always important to honor your ancestors; the ones that gave their lives for the cause they believed in."
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