Decoration Day: A dying tradition?

EAGLEVILLE, Tenn. (WHNT) – This time of 12 months, persons throughout the south get with each other to place new flowers on the graves of cherished kinds. But some fret the custom won’t last endlessly.

Almost heaven, but the state streets I just lately traveled are in Tennessee. And they consider me dwelling a few instances a year.

Eagleville is a tiny town about 25 miles from wherever I grew up in south Nashville. 943 persons now contact it home. There is nevertheless only just one traffic gentle in town.

The landscape has changed the very last 60 several years. A single factor has not, the memories I have increasing up going to my grandparents’ very little piece of God’s green earth in the state just about every other weekend.

It is where they were being lifted and the place they now relaxation, in a cemetery just down the road from where they lived. And on the first Sunday in May perhaps, I make the yearly journey to go to the graves of my ancestors.

Just one of my cousins, Elizabeth Edmondson has been attending Decoration Working day considering the fact that she was a very little lady. “It’s been likely on the initially Sunday in May possibly for many years,” she explained to me.

Norma Johnsey lives in Eagleville. “It’s just a time to recall the place you came from and keep in mind your roots, just to honor people men and women who arrived in advance of you and that are dependable for you getting listed here,” she stated.

It’s a day we acquire from throughout the region to keep in mind. “My husband was buried in this article, my mom and dad, and grandparents,” Elizabeth informed me, “It really usually means a large amount.”

A further Eagleville resident, William L. King stated, “It’s to honor individuals who are in this article and with any luck ,, I guess I’ll be place here also.” He laughed.

With covid in the rearview mirror, far more men and women have been equipped to show up at this 12 months. Robert Bradley, Jr. of Nashville recognized stating, “There’s much more this year than there is been in a excellent whilst.”

Each and every yr, we have a organization conference and move the hat to pay out for a person to choose care of the cemetery for the upcoming calendar year. And we shut with prayer.

With heads bowed, my twin brother Terry prayed, “Lord, we just thank you for the time we can shell out below currently to honor those who have gone on before us.”

Decoration Working day is a social occasion. “Everybody acquiring with each other and having to see spouse and children associates that you don’t see really usually,” Norma claimed.

It is a probability for cousins to catch up on life and discuss about vintage autos. “And that’s grandaddy’s aged 57 Chevy,” Terry reported as he confirmed a photograph on his telephone to our cousin Kenny Edmonson.

Many others chat about their time in military. “We’re exchanging war stories,” William reported with a chuckle. Norma included, “I think it’s a southern issue pretty a great deal and when you converse about decoration, folks go, a what?” She laughed.

People of us who are now more mature, fret about irrespective of whether long term generations will proceed the custom. “I assume about that sometimes too, you know,” Elizabeth instructed me. Norma additional, “I think folks are losing individuals aged traditions, but I hope listed here it sticks close to for a extensive time.”

We’re hoping we will not be forgotten. “I hope anyone comes to take a look at me on the initial Sunday in May well,” Norma extra.

Some believe that Decoration Day started out in the late 1800’s and afterwards turned Memorial Day which honors the adult males and gals who gave their lives for our region.