Thes photos and story are from last year but with this holiday upon us, I'll be thinking of Private Sowers this weekend. I wanted to share my thoughts and these pictures.
"... all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
My 4x Great Grandfather was one of the first to put his life in harms way to give me these freedoms.
Private George Sowers (1750-1834) served on the Continental Line during the American Revolution, and was buried in the historic Zion Lutheran Cemetery, in Floyd, Virginia.
Some years ago, his headstone disappeared and ended up in a yard sale. It was returned to the church by the buyer and apparently forgotten, stored in the basement of the church. Last year, it was re-discovered in the church basement and has since been reset. My dad also got the grave the footstone pictured below through the VA. He is very into geneology and honoring our military so this was a great project for him.
These are photos of the rededication of his grave site last year in Floyd, Virginia.
The footstone my Dad procured for Private Sowers, aka Grandpa Sowers
From left to right (not counting the guys in the historical costumes)... ObiTroy (I rode my Harley to Floyd for the ceremony), my daughter Johanna, my neice-in-law Tracy, my nephew (great or grand, unsure what correct term is... he's my nephews son) Owen, my dad Ken, my sister Lynne, my cousin Danny (he's a DA in Winston-Salem), any my sister Lynne and my mom Margo. All of us descended from Private Sowers, except for my mom. She's from Ireland.
Oh, and Tracy. She's my nephews wife.
And my favorite picture of this day... My wife and I had this blown up, mounted (oil painting), and gave it to my nephew and his wife for Christmas last year. It's is awesome. Owen, 9x generation placing a flag on Private Sowers grave. I didn't cry, I swear.
Happy 4th of July, everyone! And thank you to Private Sowers and all the Veterans that came after him. Thank you to all that gave some and a special thank you to the some that gave all. If it wasn't for you guys, the Queen of England would be over here right now pushing us around.
But seriously... thanks.
"... all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
My 4x Great Grandfather was one of the first to put his life in harms way to give me these freedoms.
Private George Sowers (1750-1834) served on the Continental Line during the American Revolution, and was buried in the historic Zion Lutheran Cemetery, in Floyd, Virginia.
Some years ago, his headstone disappeared and ended up in a yard sale. It was returned to the church by the buyer and apparently forgotten, stored in the basement of the church. Last year, it was re-discovered in the church basement and has since been reset. My dad also got the grave the footstone pictured below through the VA. He is very into geneology and honoring our military so this was a great project for him.
These are photos of the rededication of his grave site last year in Floyd, Virginia.
The footstone my Dad procured for Private Sowers, aka Grandpa Sowers
From left to right (not counting the guys in the historical costumes)... ObiTroy (I rode my Harley to Floyd for the ceremony), my daughter Johanna, my neice-in-law Tracy, my nephew (great or grand, unsure what correct term is... he's my nephews son) Owen, my dad Ken, my sister Lynne, my cousin Danny (he's a DA in Winston-Salem), any my sister Lynne and my mom Margo. All of us descended from Private Sowers, except for my mom. She's from Ireland.
Oh, and Tracy. She's my nephews wife.And my favorite picture of this day... My wife and I had this blown up, mounted (oil painting), and gave it to my nephew and his wife for Christmas last year. It's is awesome. Owen, 9x generation placing a flag on Private Sowers grave. I didn't cry, I swear.
Happy 4th of July, everyone! And thank you to Private Sowers and all the Veterans that came after him. Thank you to all that gave some and a special thank you to the some that gave all. If it wasn't for you guys, the Queen of England would be over here right now pushing us around.
But seriously... thanks.
