Sheila and Katherine Lyon

I had the pleasure of attending the 22nd Annual Conference of the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites  in Silver Spring, Maryland over the weekend that included a visit of the historic St. John the Evangelist Cemetery.  I plan on doing a follow-up post on that but while we were touring the cemetery I noticed the following:

I looked closer and saw this:

My first reaction was sadness that these girls were missing.  As stupid as it sounds, I was happy to see the candle and cherub there.  Shows that someone visits.

As I am not originally from this area, I checked the web and found out that Sheila and Katherine Lyon were sisters who went missing on March 25, 1975 while walking to the local mall close to their home.  Unfortunately, as of today, their whereabouts are still unknown.  I hope one day the family will know what happened to their loved ones.

For a brief summary of the events and age progression photos, please check Missing You Always

To all the families who are in similar situations, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

March 2, 1924 - Infant Daughter Moxley

Infant Daughter Moxley
Parents:  Raymond and Virgie Moxley
March 1, 1924 - March 2, 1924
Montgomery United Methodist Church Cemetery
Damascus, Montgomery County, Maryland

March 1, 1953 - Richard Marion Booth

Richard Marion Booth
March 17, 1896  - March 1, 1953
Clustered Spires Cemetery
Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland

The Semi-Weekly News, Frederick, MD
March 3, 1953

October 1, 1944 - George Eldridge Mullinix

George Eldridge Mullinix
April 17, 1863-October 1, 1944
Montgomery United Methodist Church
Damascus, Montgomery County, Maryland

Memorial Day

Winchester National Cemetery, Winchester, Winchester City, West Virginia

As I was walking about the cemetery this view caught my eye.  From the American Civil War to the current conflicts.  Both 39 years old.  Further research shows both left behind wives and children.  

Private Adam Loughner was from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was with the Union 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 163rd Volunteers, Company F. (See NPS Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System)

Staff Sargent Craig W. Cherry, US Army, Virginia Army National Guard 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light Infantry) from Winchester, Virginia. (See Iraq War Heroes)

For me it was one of those thought provoking moments.  Both soldiers, both the same age, both died for their country. They died 140 years apart but there's always that "what if" thought when anyone dies in their prime.

So to all the military personnel from the American Revolution to the current conflicts who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms all of us Americans enjoy today, 

thank you and God speed.

Military Week-Thursday

Unknown Soldiers

Many national cemeteries have a section dedicated to unknown and missing soldiers and those have been cremated or made donations to science.

The marker states:

"The Markers In This Memorial Area Honor Veterans Whose Remains Have Not Been Recovered Or Identified, Were Buried At Sea, Donated To Science, Or Cremated And The Ashes Scattered."

The common maker for unknown soldiers:

The above photos are from Winchester National Cemetery, Winchester City, West Virginia.

To all military members whose final journey is known only to God, thank you for your sacrifice. 

Military Week-Wednesday

Jacob Koogle, St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Myersville, Frederick County, Maryland

Jacob Koogle

Medal of Honor

Capt Co G

7 MD INF

December 5, 1841 - March 16, 1915

I was able to find a front page obituary for Jacob Koogle.  He served with Seventh Maryland Infantry Regiment, Company G during the Civil War.  He was awarded the Medal of Honor for capturing the Confederate flag at the Battle of Five Forks, Dinwiddie County, Virginia on 1 April 1865 (last major battle of the Petersburg Campaign).   After the Civil War he organized a local militia group, worked with his church (then Myersville Lutheran Church) and was in banking.

Here is the obituary:

Thank you for your service Jacob Koogle