On May 12, 2012 we held a headstone dedication ceremony for James Monroe Klinck (my 2x great grandfather) and his brother, DeWitt Clinton Klinck at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, TN.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I drove through the gates of Elmwood Cemetery. Knox Martin, who was instrumental acquiring the stones, said he’d have enough reenactors for a “respectable musket salute.” What I saw when we crested the hill was like falling through a time warp! The entrance was swimming with CSA soldiers and ladies in mourning! Behind them were over 15 members of my family – triple the number I expected!
Despite the rain, the ceremony was inspiring. Knox began by explaining how we gathered the muster rolls required by the VA to receive the stones. I gave brief eulogy, telling who the soldiers were and what I knew of their lives and the camp minister spoke. Because we were honored with so many volunteers, the men were able to give a full 21-gun salute! We closed by singing Dixie.
 | | Knox Martin |
|  | | Cindi Appling and granddaughter with Paula Lincoln |
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I’ve always said that the most incredible aspect of my genealogy hobby is the unbelievable kindness of strangers. People I’ve never met have done wondrous things to help me learn about my ancestors. But what the SCV volunteers did for me and my family on this day took the cake. To stand under the relative protection of a giant oak tree in the oldest cemetery in town and watch a group of strangers happily endure the pouring rain to honor my great-great-grandfather was awe-inspiring. I cannot thank them enough.
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| My family along with the volunteers of N.B. Forrest Camp 215 (Memphis) and Wigfall Grays Camp (Collierville) |
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