The Civil War soldiers buried in Dalton’s Confederate Cemetery died fighting to protect their communities, said Dalton Mayor David Pennington.
“I doubt any of them ever owned a slave. I doubt any of them really understood the state’s rights arguments or the various economic arguments why the Civil War occurred. Most of them probably saw their country as basically their communities and the families around them,” he said.
Pennington spoke Saturday at an observance of Confederate Memorial Day at the cemetery, which is within West Hill Cemetery.
“Most of their lives and most of their parents’ lives and most of their children’s lives were probably spent within a 15 or 20-mile radius of their homes,” he said. “These men were basically willing to die for their communities.”
Pennington said it is important to honor those men and uphold their traditions. But Pennington said that some people don’t understand why these men fought for the cause they did and don’t understand why people want to honor their traditions. He said everyone needs to make an effort to understand others.
“They don’t take the time to understand it and respect it. But a lot of times it takes us to take the time to understand and respect their traditions also,” he said.
Pennington also thanked members of the Civil War Roundtable of Dalton, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Daughters of Confederate Veterans for organizing the ceremony.
He praised roundtable president Marvin Sowder for his efforts to preserve local Civil War history and protect local Civil War sites.
“I know he’s sometimes got to feel like the Lone Ranger, but don’t worry, the cavalry is on the way,” he said, referring to a push by the city and county to preserve local historic sites.
But Sowder gave credit to many others who also help preserve the area’s history and who help put together the Confederate Memorial Day ceremony each year.
“They understand what it is all about, honoring our ancestors. These guys (the soldiers) made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
About 50 people, many dressed in period garb, attended the event. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans held a three-volley salute in honor of those buried in the cemetery. And members of American Legion Post 112 laid roses to honor the soldiers who fought for the Confederacy.
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April 25, 2009
Confederate Memorial Day celebrated
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