Memorial Day 2016 @ Johnson's Island

On Monday, May 30, 2016, the Admiral Raphael Semmes Camp #1321 (Dearborn, MI) commemorated Memorial Day at the Confederate Stockade Cemetery on Johnson's Island in Marblehead, OH. Nine camp members made the trip down, and counting members' family & friends, about 30 of us were in attendance to honor the nearly 300 Confederate soldiers & officers who are buried therein.

Following our arrival between 9:30 - 10:00 AM, flags were placed at all of the 206 marked graves, as well as at the Confederate Cross of Honor commemorating all Confederate soldiers buried there, the two memorial markers honoring ladies of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and next to the two modern monuments that list the names of all who are believed to be interred there. Prior to our arrival, flags had already been placed next to "The Lookout" monument, and those were left in place out of respect to whoever had placed there.

Shortly after the placement of the flags, a memorial service was held.
The order of the ceremony was as follows:

Welcome & Opening Remarks - Cmdr. Stanley White
Opening Prayer (The Lord's Prayer) - SAA. Jonathan McCleese
Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag - 2nd Lt.Cmdr. George Calder
Salute to the Confederate Flag - 1st Lt.Cmdr. Darron Williams
Singing of "Dixie" - SAA. McCleese
Placement of Officer's Jacket at "The Lookout" Monument
Poem ("Only a Soldier's Grave") - Cmdr. White
Memorial Address & Closing Prayer - SAA. Jonathan McCleese

Compatriot Welch, SAA. McCleese, Cmdr. White, & Compatriot T. Watson

After the conclusion of the service, members of the Camp remained at the cemetery throughout the early afternoon, paying our personal respects to our brave heroes and talking with members of the public who stopped by throughout the day to pay their respects. Visitors included residents of the island & tourists, all of whom were very appreciative of the Camp's efforts to honor the brave men buried there. One island resident said that she'd never seen the cemetery decorated so nicely.

To all of the compatriots, their family members & friends, and all of the visitors who came to pay their respects on Monday - THANK YOU! I also would like to give special thanks to the Johnson's Island Property Owners Association for their kindness to the Camp. 

1Lt.Cmdr. Williams, Cmdr. White, Compatriot Welch, & SAA. McCleese

Below are some more images from our day at Johnson's Island. I want to thank compatriots Steve Panther, Travis Watson, & Zach Welch for donating some of their photos to the Camp Archives and for granting their permission to share them here.

SAA. McCleese placing the Confederate Naval Officer's Jacket at "The Lookout" monument.

Compatriot Travis Watson as he pays his respects to the fallen POWs.

The inscription on the side of "The Lookout" monument's granite base.

Compatriot Zach Welch

Cmdr. Stan White & his lovely wife

Compatriot Steve Panther

Cmdr. Stan White exits the cemetery.   Cmdr. White has been leading Confederate Memorial services here at Johnson's Island for more than a quarter-century.

A Heavenly scene looking out from the cemetery toward the waters of Lake Erie.