Published: May 17, 2008 03:52 pm            

Flags to fly again

Memorial Day celebrations to include red, white, blue tributes

San Marcos — Old Glory will return this year to the graves of veterans buried in San Marcos City Cemetery.

Though the placement of small flags on the graves was not a part of last year’s Memorial Day ceremonies, Boy Scout Troop 112 will revive the long-time tradition on Saturday.

The public is invited to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery at 10 a.m. May 24, sponsored by San Marcos American Legion Post 144.

Prior to and after the ceremony, members of Boy Scout Troop 112 will place flags on the graves of veterans buried in the city cemetery, as well as Memory Lawn Cemetery.

Major Delbert “Del” David of San Marcos, who retired May 8 after more than 50 years of military service, will be the keynote speaker at the cemetery ceremony.

Post 144 Commander Tom Tvrdik will preside over the ceremony, which will include the raising of the flag by members of Boy Scout Troop 112; pinning on of poppies by members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 144; the symbolic placement of a wreath at the base of the flag by Unit 144 President Pat Murdock; a prayer; a welcome; and the Memorial Day address.

Those attending the ceremony are invited to bring lawn chairs, if the weather is nice. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held under the tabernacle in the cemetery.

Hot dogs will be served at the American Legion Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by the scouts, their leaders and parents and any one interested in after-ceremony fellowship.

Major David entered the U.S. Air Force in 1954 at the age of 15. After basic and combat medical training, he was assigned to the inactive reserves for two and a half years. He returned to active duty in October of 1957 and served 22 years in the Air Force. After eight years in the retired reserves, he was appointed a captain in the Texas State Guard in April of 1990 and served with the State Guard until his retirement this month.

Along the way, Major David obtained a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist College and received a number of medals from both the U.S. Air Force and the Texas State Guard.

Among the State Guard medals was a Texas Humanitarian Service award for work he did with Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims.

The observance of Memorial Day as a time many pay tribute to fallen war heroes began in 1868, when General John A. Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a declaration for an observance ceremony to take place on May 30, 1868.

Before the observance was designated a national holiday, women in the southern states placed flowers not only on the graves of Confederate soldiers but on the graves of Union soldiers as well. This was due to the fact that most battles between the North and South had taken place on southern soil. This movement was viewed as one of reconciliation.

Legislation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on June 28, 1968, made Memorial Day an official national holiday.

        

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