Union observes Confederate Memorial Day
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam The Confederate Flag flaps in the wind in front of the St. Andrews Cross.

There are more Confederate War dead listed on the Union County War Memorial than the war dead of all of the other wars added together.

With such a rich history in the War Between the States, Union County once again observed Confederate Memorial Day, recognizing the sacrifices of these soldiers. The event was held at the Union County War Memorial last Saturday, April 28. The brief service ended with reenactment soldiers firing off muskets and cannons.

The service helped conclude "Confederate History and Heritage Month," which had been proclaimed by Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris for the month of April.

Part of the proclamation states, "The State of Georgia has long cherished her Confederate history and the great leaders who made sacrifices on behalf of the Confederate cause. The Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is dedicated to honoring on a statewide basis those who served in the Confederate States of America and educating the general public on Confederate history. Confederate Memorial Day has been celebrated in Union County, Georgia for more than 100 years and the month of April bears special significance since it marks both the beginning and the ending of the War Between the States."

Soldiers at the monument.

According to the local Sons of Confederate Veterans website, The Union County chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is the David W. Payne Camp, a part of the 2nd Brigade, "The Blue Ridge Brigade," Georgia Division, Army of Tennessee. Camp 1633 was chartered in 1993.

Sentinel photos/Jared Putnam Reenactment soldiers fire off the cannons.