Remembrances... or,

What We Did Memorial Day Weekend.

Do you know who this is?

He was born August 20, 1846.
He spent his youth in Malvern, Ohio.
His father's name is Jacob.
His mother's name is Hannah.
His daughter's name is Esther.
He is a veteran of the Civil War.
He is PETER ROCK.

This is Peter Rock's grave and headstone in Willard, Utah.  In addition to the beautiful flowers, notice the cross and U.S. Flag.  Since I was very young we've always brought flowers to this grave on Memorial Day and there has always been a cross and flag.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.   Originally called Decoration Day, in 1882 it was renamed Memorial day, and in 1971 Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday of May every year.
  

The modern celebration of Memorial Day is similar to the original celebration, but has now been expanded upon the original idea. Today, Memorial Day is a time of the year when people come together to honor their close friends or relatives who have died. It is still very much about honoring America's fallen soldiers.  But in addition to this, Memorial Day is about celebrating all people, all of our ancestors and forefathers who have created the world we live in today, who have paved the long road we walk down into the future. [various sources]

Peter Rock did not die during his short time of service in the Civil War.  Too young to join the Union Army on his own, family legend says he ran away from home and lied about his age but was caught, although eventually his father gave permission and he signed up in March 1865.  After 6 months in the army, an injury that does not appear to be battle-related ended young Peter's military service.  However, as a veteran of that war the city of Willard ensures he is honored every year with an American Flag and the white cross at his grave; a scene repeated at millions of graves all over the country.

Peter moved to Utah and eventually married (he was 32) a young girl (she was 15) named Annie Summers.  They had 13 children, also took in and raised a niece, all in this tiny house on the corner of 2nd East and 2nd South in Willard, Utah.  [people in picture unidentified]

This undated picture is taken in front of the Willard house.  Peter Rock is seated on the step.  Annie Summers Rock is standing, 3rd from the right, identified with "Ma" written on her skirt.  [Others are identified but in my opinion don't match up with records.  A mystery left for another time!]

One of Peter and Annie's children was named Esther, who met and married Maynard McEntire and one of their daughters is our Mom/Grandma/Grandma Great = Dorothy.

Over the years while we were in Willard we'd sometimes check out the old house to see if it's still around.  Although it's been expanded upon a few times and changes made, in this photo taken Memorial Day weekend 2010, you can still see the section of original house.  Too bad we don't have other photo's to compare all the changes over the years.

We also...

stopped to put some flowers on Dad's grave while Mom stayed cool in the shade.

Also put flowers on graves of:

Eli and Deborah Hollist Manning (Farmington, UT)

Edward and Nellie Butcher Manning (Kaysville, UT)

Myron Manning (Kaysville, UT)

Ila Manning Major (Kaysville, UT)

Frances McEntire Schaerer (Ogden, UT)

John Thomas and Josephine Witten McEntire (Ogden, UT)

Maynard & Esther McEntire (Roy, UT)

And just to keep things interesting...

When Barnes Banking Co. closed in Febrary 2010 the ATM that Mom was familiar with closed also.  Since then, using her new AFCU checking account she's written checks for 'cash' rather than a strange ATM but today her daughters decided to take advantage of no cars at a 2-lane drive-thru ATM and give her a lesson.  Unfortunately the sun was too bright on the screen to see well, and by the time we finished there were 3 cars in the other lane and another in the lane we were using.  Golly, didn't think we were there that long!