R.I.P.

This week was the anniversary of the battle at Antietam. September 17, 1862....to be exact. Although the anniversary of battles is a very solemn occasion, something took place in Antietam this week that was truly a heartrending occasion and I, personally, would like to thank the National Park Service for doing something truly good.



Now for a little background. About a year or so ago, while walking in The Cornfield at Antietam, a visitor located the remains of a soldier who had fought at Antietam. He was killed going into the Cornfield with so many other young men. What happens so often is that the dead are buried in shallow graves and some were left behind after the battle. In time, the remains will begin to surface. The remains were exhumed and an archaeologist had identified what he could of the remains. It seems that he was a young man (18-20 years old) from the state of New York. That is all that they were able to find out about him.



On Thursday, the anniversary of the battle, the park service had a memorial service for him at Antietam, then placed him in the rear of a hearse to be taken to New York for a proper burial in Saratoga National Cemetery.



I really wish I had attended this service. Unfortunately, because of "stuff" I wasn't able to make it down there, but I did get to see bits and pieces of the ceremony. One of the rangers at Antietam has a blog and I was able to follow it through his blog. Here is how to find his blog:


http://volunteersinparks.blogspot.com/2009/09/going-home.html. But more importantly (and if you look at only one thing, this is it!), he made a short film about the ceremony and here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9OefwyhR_E

PLEASE watch this. And make sure the tissues are close by....you will need them.



Rest In Peace, our unknown soldier. You have finally made it home!