By Staff
REMEMBERING J.D. Evans, left, and Johnny Smith place small flags on the graves of the fallen at the Confederate Cemetery in Marion. The Sons of Confederate Veterans will honor those buried at the cemetery during a special ceremony Sunday. Photo by Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
March 30, 2001
The Sons of Confederate Veterans will honor those who served and died for the South during the Civil War with a special tribute at the Marion Confederate Cemetery Sunday.
More than 170 Confederate graves dot the historic cemetery. Most were either killed in battle, or later died from their injuries, McQuaig said.
The service begins at 2 p.m. at the cemetery, located off of Confederate Drive in Marion.
Given the current debate surrounding the embattled state flag, McQuaig said honoring the fallen soldiers means more than ever before.
A state-wide vote deciding the fate of the flag is scheduled for April 17. Voters will decide whether to keep flag of 1894 or choose to replace it with a new symbol. An expert on the history of the state flag will speak.
There will be a Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard in place. Several Civil War re-enactors will also be participating in Sunday's festivities. As a special treat, McQuaig said "Amazing Grace" will be played on bagpipes.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.