Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 and the Department of Rhode Island Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War conducted their Decoration Day Ceremonies on the 30th of May, 2000, at Island Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island.
A finer day could not have been selected for this solemn occasion. The weather was clear and sunny with a gentle breeze and pleasant temperature. Brother's Donald C. Walker Sr. and Donald C. Walker Jr. performed duties as uniformed honor guards throughout the day, standing a silent vigil in memory of those who served.
A marquee was erected in advance with bunting covering the podium and head table. This, along with the flags placed in the new Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) flag holders, provided a dazzling display of our nation's colors. The turn out was excellent, with many guests and relatives of Civil War veterans present. Four generations of James C. Wood's descendants were present: his granddaughter, Bessie Wood-DeFillipo, age 94, her daughter Madelyn Moy, her granddaughter, Lisa Berard and her great granddaughter Rachel Berard.
The Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot at Island Cemetery was deeded in April 1889 to Mr. Edmund H. Schermerhorn. A $1,000 deposit was made for the perpetual care of the plot. Mr. Schermerhorn then sold the plot to the Charles Lawton Post #5 and Gouverneur K. Warren Post #21, G.A.R., for the amount of $1.00. The deed states that only "the bodies of deceased soldiers and sailors who fought in the Army and Navy of the United States in the late war for the preservation of the Union" can be interred in the plot. The intent of the plot was that no Civil War veteran would be ever buried in a pauper's grave. The plot contains the remains of 49 veterans from numerous states and units, including Colored Troops.
The ceremonies began with the presentation of the colors by the Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 Color Guard. The ceremony was officially commenced by Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 Commander Donald C. Walker Sr. who then performed the opening address.
Department Chaplain Father Raymond J. Ferrick invoked the Divine Blessing followed by a roll call of the Civil War veterans interred in the Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot by Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 Chaplain John T. Duchesneau.
Department of Rhode Island Commander Robert C. Bromley then read General Logan's Order. Department of Rhode Island Auxiliary President Karen McAfee-Bromley was then invited to assist Department Commander Bromley in laying a spray of flowers on the Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot. This was followed by Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 Senior Vice Commander Michael S. Kennedy reading "The Unknown Dead" by James E. Ratigan.
Colonel Frank S. Hale of the Newport Artillery Company addressed the crowd, recollecting his boyhood memories of Civil War veterans parading through Newport on Decoration Day, sometimes having to be driven in cars because of their advanced age. His message was that no one should ever forget the memory of those that served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Commander Walker then read "The Bridge Builder" by Will Allen Dromgoole.
The ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot concluded with the benediction by Father Ferrick.
Everyone then removed to the grave of Major-General Isaac Ingalls Stevens. Brother Duchesneau gave a brief history of General Stevens and then he and Commander Walker laid a wreath, courtesy of Isaac Stevens, Camp No. 1 Department-at-Large.
A short ceremony was then performed at the grave of Major-General Gouverneur Kemble Warren. Brother Duchesneau again performed admirably with a very detailed biography of General Warren. Department Commander Bromley laid flowers at General Warren's grave. As the ceremonies drew to a close, the temperature was dropping and the shadows were long. A fitting end to a long and eventful day.
Click HERE to view a map of Island Cemetery.