On Monday morning, the Bloomingburg Masonic Lodge conducted its annual Memorial Day service at the Bloomingburg Cemetery.
Lodge member Wayne King served as the master of ceremonies for the event with Bill Cupp reciting an account of how the crowd at Gettysburg reacted to President Lincoln’s famous address when it was given on Nov. 19, 1863.
Fayette County Common Pleas Court Judge Steven Beathard gave an interesting and inspirational address to a large crowd gathered at the cemetery. He gave a brief account of how decorating the graves of Civil War soldiers evolved from Decoration Day to the modern holiday we call Memorial Day.
He noted the achievements of World War I Bloomingburg veteran John Wrobbel, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in that war and is buried in the Bloomingburg Cemetery. Beathard also praised the contributions of those who have served in the military, making it possible for us to enjoy the freedom we have.
John Pfeifer played taps and a gun salute was given by the members of Henry Casey Camp No. 92 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Casey, a Civil War recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, was a member of the Bloomingburg Masonic Lodge and is buried in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.
