MANGUM MARKER DEDICATIONS
WELCOME
On behalf of E. S. Rugeley UDC Chapter 542, I would like to
welcome you, both Mangum family members and friends to these
marker dedications. This project began a year and a half ago
when Mike Cox, great-grandson of Samuel Mangum, emailed me
to make a correction in some information on our website. He
offered to send Confederate information on those from the
Mangum family who had served. In September, 2006, his email
read "Josiah Mangum is buried in the Thompson cemetery. I
have been told he does not have a proper marker. Assuming
his grave can be located, do you know the procedure to get a
military marker placed for his CSA service?" Samuel Jackson
Mangum's grave was also unmarked, so today is the
culmination of that request.
It is appropriate that
we honor these men today as April 26th is Confederate
Veterans Memorial Day. From sea to shining sea we link
hearts, minds and spirits to honor faithful veterans whose
resting places have been previously unknown, unmarked or
neglected. May our hearts be lifted up to the Lord as we
have the invocation.
INVOCATION
O, Lord, we
thank you for those who have gone before us, whose service
has enriched our lives today. We remember especially the
lives of Samuel Jackson Mangum and Josiah Mangum. We thank
you for the members of their family who are here today as a
legacy of their lives. We ask your blessings on this program
as we honor them. In Jesus' name, Amen.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG
“I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for
which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.”
PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS
FLAG
“Honor the Texas flag, I
pledge allegiance to thee, Texas,
one state under God, one
and indivisible.”
SALUTE TO THE
CONFEDERATE FLAG
“I salute the
Confederate flag with affection, reverence and undying
remembrance.”
CALL TO REMEMBRANCE
Nothing is
ended until it is forgotten. That which is held in memory
still endures and is real. We are grateful for the records
of the past which bring inspiration and courage. We are
appreciative of the lessons taught by Memorials to events
and deeds of long ago. We pray that our lives may always be
patterned to give such devotion and service as did our
forefathers of this great Southland. We the members of the
E. S. RUGELEY CHAPTER, UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY,
now dedicate this marker in grateful recognition--of the
noble service of SAMUEL JACKSON MANGUM & JOSIAH "JOSEPH"
MANGUM, Confederate Heroes of Matagorda County, Texas.
May this marker be
blessed. May it remind all who pause not only of the noble
deeds of these Confederate Heroes, but of the continuing
need for unselfish service. From this moment of dedication,
we trust there may come inspiration for broader vision and
finer service.
DEDICATION
Not for fame or fortune;
Not for
place or rank;
Not lured by
ambition;
Or goaded by
necessity;
But in
simple
Obedience to
duty
As they
understood it,
These men
suffered all,
Sacrificed
all
Dared
all--and died.
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Who Will Tend Their Graves ?
Who will tend their graves? Who will watch over
their mortal remains? Who will make sure
faithful soldiers are remembered?
As we would not be forgotten when we are gone,
let us not forget.
Let us honor the sacrifices of the confederate
soldiers. They walked dusty trails in the heat
of the summer and muddy rutted roads when it
rained. They huddled closely in their trenches
and nearly froze during that terrible winter at
Petersburg . Without proper food and clothing,
in sickness and in health, they fought even when
all seemed lost.
We will remember the cause for which they stood.
From the red clay fields of Georgia to the hills
of Virginia and North Carolina they fought for
the rights of the states to govern their own
affairs. From west Texas to the palmettos of
South Carolina they stood for hearth and home.
They fought for their rights as their
forefathers did in the first American
Revolution.
Today, we also remember the faith that sustained
them. Many came from godly homes and churches.
The Bible was their textbook and their prayer
books were well worn.
They all fought and many died as good soldiers
of Jesus Christ. Let us never forget their
faith.
We also
remember the homes from which they came. They
had fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers,
sweethearts and wives, and little ones who never
knew their daddies. Each night at suppertime the
vacant chair daily reminded them how great was
their loss.
If those who
lie mute in their graves could speak, they might
say: Thank you, friends, for finding my mortal
remains. Thank you for caring enough to honor my
comrades and me. I see you now with hearts
joined across America with prayers on your lips
and each of us in your hearts. How can we thank
you? |
TRIBUTES
(See information above about each soldier
compiled by Mike Cox.)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We want to thank Mike Cox for his quest to mark the graves
of these soldiers so they will be remembered by all.
Scott & Pam Evans, owners of the Red Bluff property, have
enthusiastically joined this project and we are grateful to
them for allowing this remembrance.
St. Mark's Episcopal
Church now owns the property on which Thompson Cemetery is
located. When I met with their board a year and a half ago,
they graciously granted permission to add a marker for
Josiah Mangum. One of the board members made the statement
"If I were buried in an unmarked grave, I would hope someone
would care enough to place a marker for me." Today we are
showing that we care. Their minister, Rev. Susan Kennard,
had planned to participate today, but was called out of
town. Since the fence at Thompson Cemetery encloses only the
graves which were marked, Mr. Mangum's marker will be placed
at the foot of the graves on the right. It is placed outside
the fence for today so it would be visible to everyone.
Kenneth Thames, Philip
H. Parker VFW Post 2438, not only placed the order for the
markers, but took care of the details of having the markers
set at both sites.
Philip H. Parker VFW
Post 2438 has provided the funds to pay for the marker
settings.
The markers arrived a
year ago and Taylor Bros. Funeral Home provided storage for
them all that time.
Many of our UDC members
had other obligations and could not be here today. I want to
thank Jackie and Donna for all they have done. Donna
composed and printed the programs as well providing
refreshments. Jackie provided the wreath for our ceremony.
Their dedication to UDC and their experience is invaluable.
BENEDICTION
May we go from this place, O Lord, with a strong
determination to shoulder our share of the responsibilities
in memorializing those who have gone before. Through Christ,
our Savior, we pray. Amen |