The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Hello folks,
What a patriotic celebration I read about in last week's Quill of the moving ceremony to honor the first (white) man to make a permanent home in Henderson County.
I heard my parents talk of Indians when their ancestors lived here, but I never heard about the first white man to reside here. It is good to know the history of who settled our land. I wish I had been able to attend.
Someone was commenting about the many different uniforms that were represented from Revolutionary War, War of 1812, to present day showing how many generations have sacrificed to keep our nation free.
Some of my friends say that Mr. Redman had helped with some of the legal work of forming Burlington, Iowa and he built the first framed house on the land before it was Burlington, IA. while still maintaining a home in Lomax area. They said relatives found where he had a purchase order for a steamship. I guess hundreds of people were on the Illinois side of the river wanting to cross.
There is so much history that would be interesting to hear about.
At the end of Mr. Mike Rowley's speech, the Quill printed, was a very interesting question.
"How many things do you have that belonged to your great great great grandfather?"
Usually, Rowley said, it is three things that remains and that is the written word, photographs, and a gravestone.
I never thought about it before, but if there are neither photographs or the written word, and a person does not have a gravestone, after a couple generations, it's almost like he didn't exist.
Thank goodness for Mr. Rowley's endeavors to research these graves of veterans, verify them through the Veterans Administration and they will send a stone to mark the grave.
I think it was appropriate the ceremony took place between Flag Day and the 4th of July. I am glad so many people today still get excited here about the celebration. It is not so much as seeing the beautiful fire works, although they are beautiful and amazing, but it's about continuing to remember what old glory means and the cost our ancestors paid for it.
For people around our borders and in Ukraine, it's their last hope for freedom. If we don't celebrate it and keep protecting it and fighting for Freedom Loving Patriots to be elected into our office, and to run our government, our lukewarm attitudes is just what the enemy wants to see.
Always stand alert, fight like we're losing. Remember Pearl Harbor.
Hope to see you in church.
Bring a friend.
-Love, Aunt Polly