May 16, 2009

The one year project of Honorary State Regent Betsy Jones can to a close May 16, 2009 the day of the Reburial and Dedication Ceremony at the Southern Arizona Veteran Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona. They estimate about 800 were in attendance and many wore period costumes. This author recognized a number of the attendees were actors from Tombstone. Attending from DAC were Honorary State Regents Betsy Phillips Jones and Danna Spence Koelling, Roxane Johnson, and Danette Baty all from the John Thurman Chapter.

Arizona Balladeer, Dolan Ellis wrote a special song for them to the tune Amazing Grace which was also his inspiration for the lyrics. Hundreds attended the reburial of 58 civil war, cavalry soldiers and Indian Scout for served from 1862-1881.

The remains of these solders were discovered two years ago when digging began on the County Court complex in Tucson. This reburial is now being called the largest historic excavation in the United States today. The caskets were hand crafted by Tucson citizen, Joe Smith.

The civil war soldiers were from the California Column an all volunteer troop who marched to Arizona to confront confederate forces moving west from Texas. The confrontation occurred at what is now called the Battle of Picacho Pass. It was here that the confederate forces were convinced to withdraw and give up their control over Southern Arizona. The purpose of the California Column was to protect much of the West so that the regular Union Army could concentrate on the battles of the East.

Words cannot adequately express the dedication site as you approached. Hundreds of active duty soldiers from four branches of the service were present as well as a local Buffalo Soldier troop to provide these fifty-eight soldiers with full military honors. Caskets were all covered with period flags.

As these 110+ soldiers in full dress uniform (on a 90+ degree day) approached in unison surrounded the caskets, taps were played by a Buffalo Soldier. The command was given to kneel, prayer was given and all soldiers were given the command to rise and the soldiers did so with the flag ends in hand (again, of course, done in unison). At which time the entire audience stood.

Then the command came to fold the flags. Each soldier proceeded to fold their assigned flag, and upon completion the soldier not holding the folded flag took one step back, saluted the flag and both stood at attention until all flags were folded and the command was given to retire and the soldiers left in unison to the beat of a drum. A flag was then presented to Governor Jan Brewer on behalf of a grateful nation.

After a break of about fifteen minutes, soldiers (what can I say but once again in unison) approached the caskets, knelt to pick up the caskets and two by two carried the caskets to their final resting place with the attendees following behind to the location where the caskets will be permanently cared for in a place of honor at the Southern Arizona Veterans Cemetery. They were then lowered into the graves.

Dignitaries attending this event were Governor Jan Brewer, Representative Gabrielle Gifford, Col. William Scott from Fort Huachuca, Joey Strickland, AZ Dept. of Veteran Services, and the Mayor of Sierra Vista, a representative from the Tohono O'odham Tribe, among a number of others. The Indian scout was given honors based on the tribal traditions.

Thanks to everyone who donated to the State Regent’s project 2008-2009. This is what your money went to. Many of you may not know that government organizations are not permitted to raise money for such endeavors. Therefore, this was a grass roots efforts of a small group of individuals who developed the organization to bring these soldiers to a proper and permanent resting place at the Arizona State funded Veterans Cemetery in Sierra Vista. Our $600 donation helped pay for the cost to bury these soldiers and Indian Scouts. Remember them when considering your donations. The cost to bring them to Sierra Vista and use of this special area will continue to be a cost not covered by our state or federal government.