Memorial Day remembered by Michael Hillegas DAR and families

For 123 years, the Michael Hillegas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have carried the torch of patriotism.

In that spirit of patriotism on this Memorial Day, Michael Hillegas Daughters were honored to be included in the dedication of the newly renovated veterans memorial at the Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg, to now be known as "Little Arlington". It was a very touching and emotional ceremony by several of those closely involved in the project.

Michael Hillegas Vice-Regent Kathy Morris read "In Flanders Fields," a well-known war poem written by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae after the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier who died in the Second Battle of Ypres in World War I.

The chapter also has a memorial stone dedicated to all of the known Revolutionary War veterans buried in Saline County: Reuben Bramlet, Thomas Hamilton, Malachi Hereford, Lewis Howell and William Roark.

Grandsons of Michael Hillegas Regent Sharon Tanner, Colton and Jaxon Tanner, placed flags and flowers on their relatives who served in the military. This the grave of their fourth great-grandfather, who served in the Civil War. They also visited the graves of their great-grand Father who served in the Navy in World War I and their uncle who served in the Korean War. The boys have done this for so many years and grown so tall that they now both have to kneel to get in the picture.

Other Daughters have placed flowers and flags on other cemeteries scattered throughout southern Illinois.

<h3 class="breakHead">Contact Us</h3>

For more information on the organization, please contact the people listed below, or any DAR member. Our missions have never been more important to America's future. To learn about all the patriotic, historic, and educational programs we support, check out our website: Website/http://ildar.org/chapters/Michael Hillegas. Contact Sharon L. Tanner, Regent - 841-1941 or Kathy R. Morris, Vice Regent - 841-7982