ELGIN — Sounds of trumpet reveilles and the Elgin Choral Union’s rendition of the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” gave way to a
quiet and peaceful Bluff City Cemetery on Monday as families headed home to their Memorial Day picnics. More than 500 people attended the main Memorial Day program on the crest of a hill in Bluff City Cemetery, home to an approximately 27-foot tall Civil War monument flanked by retired Civil War cannons and an anchor from a World War II destroyer. Elgin veterans were commemorated by roads lined with more than 500 large American flags with names of veterans and 2,500 miniature flags adorning individual veteran graves. Groups such as the combined color guard, American Legion 57, AMVETS 202, Marine Corps League 077, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and Camp 2 Veterans of Foreign Wars 1307 attended. At the Bluff City Cemetery event, there were presentations by the color guard and readings by local high schoolers. Elgin Academy senior Joshua Leong read “General Logan’s order 11,” followed by Elgin High School sophomore Jonathon Mack’s reading of “The Gettysburg Address.” Elgin Academy Head of School Dr. John Cooper provided a history of Elgin Academy veterans, including seven Elgin Academy veterans who were killed in action.
“From its earliest days, Elgin has sent its sons and daughters to serve in the military, both in peacetime and during the war … This day, we honor those who fought and died for the American dream but also for those who lived for those ideals,” he said.