General Order 11 Lives On

The 140th Memorial Day ceremony in Carbondale, Illinois went off with a bang and a blast -- several of them -- and music and ceremonies performed by local people.

Master of Ceremonies, Mayor Brad Cole introduced prominent citizens who placed wreaths upon the graves of Carbondale forefathers who served in the Civil War. The keynote speaker, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Rose of the Illinois Army National Guard, a combat veteran who served in Baghdad, Iraq, spoke for about 15 minutes (.mp3 download) about his experience there, and his appreciation for the support, prayers, and "care packages" from folks back home -- including Cole, who received a coin of appreciation from Jeff (who works at A.G. Edwards, now that he's home again). Vocalist Katie Damron should audition for American Idol, on the strength of her performance of "God Bless America."

Other participants included Commander David Conrad and VFW Post Teeter-Carter-Watson Post 2605, Company C of the 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the Daniel H. Brush Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Carbondale Preservation Commission, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 514 and Carbondale Boy Scouts.

Kenneth Carr (pictured above) played Taps (listen! don't jump at the gunfire) on the bugle, as he has done for many years. Other buglers used to accompany him, so the melody was played in echo-duet as intended, but they have died off. He says it's hard to find anyone who can play Taps on a bugle anymore. Maybe CCHS or Carbondale Middle School could teach it in music or band class. (Are you reading, Mr. Frick?)