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Many came out to the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery for the 143rd Observance of Memorial Day
BY MEGAN WILLIAMS Christopher Haywood Ezell has traced his family tree back to include almost 100 direct and indirect ancestors who fought in the Civil War. He and about 15 other members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, dressed in their Confederate uniforms, led a procession into the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery yesterday morning to mark the start of the 143rd Memorial Day Observance. "We're out here to honor our lineage," Haywood said. For many of the sons present, that lineage includes many individuals and from both sides. Carl Rice, 50, has been participating in the Confederate Memorial Day observance for two years and "has folks from both sides, but always wanted to do the Confederate side." Rice said he's just more at home in the South. His wife, Trina, also participated as one of the half-dozen ladies to dress in full -length Civil War-era dresses. Besides honoring their heritage, about 150 people came out to recognize Memorial Day and all the soldiers who have fought in U.S. conflicts. Seven-year-old Jackson Sulser came dressed in his Confederate uniform because, "It's Memorial Day and it's time to thank the soldiers; Confederate soldiers, too." The speaker for the event, Fredericksburg historian Dennis Edward Sacrey, also emphasized honoring Confederate soldiers "because part of the puzzle was left out. There was no government who came advocating for them" after the Civil War. Sacrey spoke about the Ladies' Memorial Association, which met for the first time the year after the Civil War ended to begin trying to bring home fallen Confederate soldiers who were left behind on battlefields, or were buried far from home. The group has since organized the Memorial Day observance at the cemetery every year. Joe Wright, 62, a member of the color guard said: "We're out here to dedicate ourselves to put the confederate colors out to the public and to tell the truth about what a Confederate soldier fought for, which was to establish a government of their own choosing." For others, the ceremony was just another way to honor those who fought for the United States. "It's so we don't forget history and the cause they fought for," said John Ramsey, who attended with his three sons, Sam, Nicholas and Jacob, and his father David. "And so the young people can understand what has happened." Megan Williams:
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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