My 3rd great-grandfather (whose profile I have yet to do on this site) died of dysentery. (I had to contact Find a Grave because they had him listed as married to his daughter who shared the same name of his wife---they corrected that, thank goodness. I also asked them to use the term dysentery rather than I don't even want to write it! out of respect, but I don't they did that. Had wanted to take possession of his memorial because he served and died and left behind two children, and I felt I could take better care of him than the Association of the Civil War Veterans, but at least my David Burr Bartram is no longer in an incestuous relationship.
But as I've been working on family, I've learned about how so many people in my family have fought in this war and in others (all the way back to the French and Indian War) and through to the present), I feel the need to show my respect for everyone who gave up their lives, or who were willing to give it. My grandfather dropped out of high school to "protect" his brother who had dropped out of high school. and each lied about their ages to participate in WW II, and both became fighter pilates. Back to the Civil War, I also have another ancestor who had just moved to this country from Germany, and he immediately (as did his brother, my 2nd great-uncle) joined. He survived, but was injured, as were so many.
I'd love to show them that their service is remembered, even if it's just in this tiny way (compared to what they did and were willing to sacrifice).
