Confederate Memorial Day Programs including Ladies’ Memorial Association of Montgomery

Larry Spears of the Prattville Dragoons attended the 149th consecutive annual program of the Ladies’ Memorial Association of Montgomery on Sunday April 26th at Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery to celebrate Confederate Memorial day in Alabama. The program was very profound and included music, a keynote speaker, short memorial presentations and recognition of special guests. President Leslie Kirk organized the ceremony very well and it was a very moving program. After the formal program, those in attendance followed the bagpiper, who played Amazing Grace, on a short walk to the Confederate Monument where a wreath was placed and a prayer offered. Montgomery Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #692 provided a rifle salute and the ceremony ended with the playing of Taps. The setting, program and fellowship with like minded Compatriots was very inspiring and heartfelt. 

The following day, Monday April 27th, there were two additional ceremonies to commemorate Confederate Memorial Day, at 10:00 am at the AL state capitol by the UDC and SCV and then the Prattville Dragoons program at 6:30 pm at Indian Hill Cemetery.  Pat Godwin of the UDC coordinated the morning program which included keynote speakers and bagpipes played by Bob Miller there at the Confederate monument on the state capitol grounds in downtown Montgomery. The Dragoons Confederate Memorial Day program, usually conducted in downtown Prattville at the Dragoons monument was instead held at Indian Hill Cemetery and centered around the rededication of the cemetery following a year's effort in cleaning and restoring the cemetery including repairs to many of the tombstones.  A crowd of nearly 200 people enjoyed cannon and musket volleys, reenactors of some of the community's founders and Confederates buried there and special recognitions of attendees and those who worked so long and hard on restoring dignity to the historic cemetery.  In deep appreciation and in honor of the sacrifices our Confederate ancestors made.

Ladies Memorial Day Association Confederate Memorial Day Program at Oakwood Cemetery

Confederate Monument at Oakwood Cemetery, Confederate Memorial Day 2015