Decatur Cemetery Memorial Day Weekend Events – Flags and Flowers
Decatur Metro | May 21, 2014 | 11:32 am
Chris sends along this announcement…
If you would like to help place flags and/or flowers on the graves or memorials in the Decatur Cemetery in honor of those who were killed while serving in the military as part of your Memorial Day Weekend activities, please contact Chris Billingsley at [email protected]
You can also show up for any of the following:
- Friday, May 23, 6:00 P.M. Place Flags On Graves- Meet at the Veteran’s Rock in the new cemetery (enter Church Street gate and drive to area above pond).
- Sunday, May 25, 6:00 P.M. Place Flowers On Graves- Meet at same location described above, Veteran’s Rock.
- Monday, May 26, 5:00 P.M.- Brief Remembrance Ceremony. Afterwards we will pick up all flags and flowers from the graves
Thanks Mr. B for all you do.
+100 You’re a Great American.
+100 and a great teacher that the kids will always remember!
“On August 20, 1944, Col. Robert Clinksdales was leading his four aircraft diamond formation in 42-6334, which was named after his mother. 4thSentai’s Sgt. Shigeo Nobe maneuvered his Nick fighter into 42-6334 flight path.He banked the fighter to the right so that his right wing came vertical to 42-6334. The fighter sliced into 42-6334’s left wing between the tip and number one engine. 42-6334 exploded in a fireball. The entire crew was KIA along with Col. Clinksdales beloved cocker spaniel, Sally, who was along for the ride. Col.Clinksdale was the Commanding Officer of the 794th Bomb Squadron (http://www.intergate.com/~sandcrab/468th%20Bomb%20Group%20China.htm).
Crew
Lt. Col. R.S. Clinksdale – AC – KIA
Lt. D.A. Castleberry – KIA
Capt. G.S. Kadinger – KIA
Capt S.S. Smyth – KIA
Lt. D.E. Himage – KIA
M/Sgt. Loy. F. Baker – KIA
M/Sgt. W. Richards, Jr. – KIA
T/Sgt. J.T. Fitzpatrick – KIA
S/Sgt. P.S. Brouillard – KIA
M/Sgt. C.L. McHeny – KIA
Lt. D. Hamadi – KIA – 15th Maintenance Squadron, an observer
KIA- Sally the Cocker Spaniel
I would like to thank Vance and Meisha Shofner and their two beautiful children for taking the time to place twenty flags on the graves of the fallen.
While placing flags myself, I met the Baileys from Superior Avenue. Mr. Bailey grew up in Decatur (part of the Bailey Shoe Store family) and he wanted to take me to the memorial of John C. Hollingsworth. While walking, he and his wife proudly pointed out their gravestone. Under his name was inscribed “Proud Decatur Buldog” and under her name, “Proud Avondale Blue Devil”. They took me to Section 10 where we found “In Memory of John Christopher Hollingsworth, Commander USN USS SCAMP LOST AT SEA 1909-1944”. Mr. Bailey said that Hollingsworth was a submarine commander. He and his entire crew were lost. I was unaware of this memorial.
These are some of the stories about the 52 men in the Decatur Cemetery that we honor this Memorial Day weekend. We will place flowers on the graves this Sunday at 6:00 PM. All are invited.
In the southwestern section of section 8 of the Decatur Cemetery is found the grave of Lt. Enrique Russell Smith, most likely one of two DHS grads who enlisted together in 1941. This article describes their close friendship at DHS, enlistment and tragic training accident.
“Georgia Crossroads Magazine, Summer 2012. From Georgia Backroads Magazine- “He Left them Only the Wings” High school chums (Kennon Short and E.R. Smith) from Decatur enlist together, train together, and in the service of their country will die together. BY MIKE MCDONALD”
In the northeast section of the cemetery, closest to Glenlake Park, are two DHS and Presbyterian College grads who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. Charles Sharman’s grave ALWAYS has a U.S. Marine flag present. Allan B. Calloway’s grave is twenty yards due west of Sharman’s. Calloway also has a monument dedicated to him directly across from Decatur city hall on the grounds of the new DeKalb County courthouse. The grave of another DHS grad is about fifty yards south of Calloways. David Leverett, the only son of City of Decatur commissioner Eloise T. Leverett, was killed in a training accident. Mrs. Leverett was known for her service to the City of Decatur and the new facilities building is named in her honor.
One hundred yards west of Calloway in section 10 are found the graves of the Cordes brothers(?). Their monuments state “In Memory Of LT. Wm. J Cordes Jr SS 97 US Inf Div Born Sept 26 1923 KIA Ap 12 1945 Gummersbach Germany Buried in Margraten Holland” and
“Lt Gilbert Marsh Cordes 5th Marines 1 MAR Div Born May 5 1928 KIA April 9 1952 Yonchon Korea”. I believe Gilberts parents donated their son’s letters from Korea to the DeKalb Historical Society.
These are some of the stories of the 52 men that are buried or memorialized in the Decatur Cemetery. You are invited to help place flowers on their graves Sunday at 6:00 PM. Meet at the Veterans Rock above the cemetery pond.
Thanks Nick for letting me post. I would like to acknowledge the folowing for helping to make the City of Decatur 2014 Memorial Day/Weekend At The Cemetery possible: City Manager Peggy Merriss, the entire Cemetery staff who worked hard to prepare the grounds, Henry and Fran Frantz for performing “Amazing Grace” in the rain on Memorial Day, Dave and Tony at InTown Hardware for the flags and for the flowers, the manager and staff at Big Tex Cantina, Eric and Alex at Mid City Management, Robin Moore Accounting Services ([email protected] ), H&H Remodeling Services ([email protected] ), Cathie Herman Lighting Designer ([email protected] ), Larry Herrick Electrical Contractors (404-8615277), Philcool Heating and Air ([email protected] ) and all the volunteers, especially the kids who helped place and pick up flags and flowers.
To those of you who wonder if what you do ever means anything, please read on:
“May 27, 2014
Dear Chris,
Thank you for organizing the flags and flowers at the killed in action graves at Decatur cemetery. I learned of this when I arrived at the cemetery yesterday afternoon to place flowers at the Laseter family plot, and I saw the flag and flower for my uncle John S. Laseter who died in France in World War II. I thought to myself, “How nice, I wonder who did this?” Then I looked around and saw other flags and flowers and figured out it was for those killed in action. I emailed my friend Jack Kittle to ask if he knew about this, and he sent me some web links about what you did.
John Laseter (called Jack) was killed by a sniper a few weeks after he got to France. He was the middle of three brothers, who were all overseas for World War II. The oldest, Brand Laseter, died a year ago at 95, and the youngest, my father Clark Laseter, died in January at 89 (See below).
I am 60 years old and grew up… My son just graduated from college. I grew up spending time at the cemetery with my parents, and of course still go there.
The parents, brothers, and sisters of those you honor are largely gone now, but the children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews are still around, and we remember our relatives who gave their lives.
It meant a lot to me to come upon the flower and flag yesterday afternoon.
Thank you again,
Joe
Joe Laseter”
I want to add that because of Decatur High School principal Lauri McKain, Joe’s father Clark Laseter, received his diploma last year at graduation, something he could not get in 1942 because he was called into service. Later a Georgia Tech grad, Clark Laseter was the first to walk across the stage last year was very proud to finally receive his DHS diploma.
This is what the City of Decatur is all about.
Sheez, Mr. B…now I’ve got something in my eye.
Thank you for seeing to it that our vets aren’t forgotten.