I will be working this Memorial Day. In my industry, it is not a holiday, but merely another day to sell a product. Such is life, but that doesn’t make it right, does it?
Anywho. I’m an avid genealogist and thinking about memorials always reminds me of the remarkable people I have found through my research. So this year, my memorial tribute will be in honor of the soldiers in my own family tree. The following list covers my family only back to 1776 and includes only those I have confirmed to have served in the military. The list also includes two living individuals who I will refer to only by initials to protect their privacy.
My Family Roll of Honor:
HGS – PFC US Army
CDH – US Army, Vietnam
LEM – US Air Force
Robert Reed Baker – PFC US Marine Corp, World War II
Lonnie Ruble Markham – PFC US Army, World War II
Joseph N Slatton – Confederate Marines, Civil War, POW
John Westley Blakely – Arkansas Infantry, Civil War
John Wiseman Levillian – Arkansas Infantry, Civil War
Michael Sterling McGuire Levillian – Arkansas Infantry, Civil War, KIA
Charles M Markum – PFC Tennessee Calvary, Civil War
William M Ramer – North Carolina Infantry, Civil War
John Wesley Ramer – Tennesse Army, Civil War, WIA
Richmond Sullins – Pvt. Mounted Infantry, Union Army, Civil War
Adam Moore Self – War of Texas Independence
Thomas Ware – War of Texas Independence
Melchezedec Self – Tennessee Militia, War of 1812
John H Blakely – Pvt. South Carolina Militia, War of 1812
Michael Levillian – Sgt. Louisiana Militia, War of 1812
Jacob Williams – Pvt. North Carolina Militia, War of 1812
John Blakely – Pvt South Carolina Militia, Revolutionary War
Giles Powers – Pvt South Carolina Militia, Revolutionary War
George Slatton – North Carolina Infantry, Revolutionary War
John Williams – Lt. North Carolina Militia, Revolutionary War
Bedreadon Carraway – Pvt. North Carolina Militia, Revolutionary War
George Oliver – North Carolina Infantry, Revolutionary War
John Garrett Ware – Georgia Militia, Revolutionary War
Robert Jemison – Capt. Continental Army, Revolutionary War
Matthias Heinrick Bollinger – Georgia, Revolutionary War, KIA
Charles Carl Springer – PFC, Delaware Militia, Revolutionary War
Philip Philemon Prather – Pvt. Contintial Army, Revolutionary War
John Haas – Pennsylvania Militia, Revolutionary War
Henry Ware – Lt. Carolina Militia, Revolutionary War
William Blair – Massachusetts Militia, Revolutionary War
Israel Hobart – held in an internment camp as a suspected Loyalist, Revolutionary War
Michael Lorenz – defected from the British Army and joined the North Carolina Militia, Revolutionary War
Daniel B Ward – supplier for Layfayette’s soldiers, Revolutionary War
DB Ward’s assistance as a supplier (of beef) for Continental allies gives him revolutionary status. Considering more than one on this list were killed by their Loyalist neighbors for far less participation in the Continental cause, selling his cattle to the Continental Congress would have certainly made him as fair a target as any soldier.
I’m proud of all my ancestors. They were tough people who lived through tough times, most with great grace. And while Memorial Day has been set aside to honor our military, we would do well to remember, also, those who fight other battles just as fiercely: firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, border agents (who are being kidnapped and killed by drug and human traffickers here in Texas).
The families of those who serve are equally important, supplying the personal support we cannot: spouses, children, parents and siblings.
My salute, hand to my heart, to all of them, living and past, who have made this country the finest on earth.
Thank you.
–Thea
“Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it’s cowardice.” – George Jackson
photo courtesy of crazyemt
