Montgomery Memorial Day Annual Tradition
Updated:  05/31/10

An annual Memorial Day service tradition began at a meeting on May 11, 1995 at the home of Bill and Margaretta Branthoover on Hazen's Notch Road.  In attendance at this meeting were:

Agatha Blodgett
Bill Branthoover
Margaretta Branthoover
Gyneth Lumbra
Sally Newton 

The history and significance of Memorial Day was discussed and from ideas presented by those present a program outline was accepted. This program of events has been followed in the succeeding years.

Each year the program is held in one of Montgomery's six cemeteries; rotation is determined by the date of the first burial of each cemetery as follows:

Clapp Cemetery

Old Montgomery Center Cemetery (lower)

Montgomery Village Cemetery

Montgomery Center Cemetery (upper)

West Hill Cemetery

St. Isidore Cemetery

2006 

W.R.B.

Preface

Lest we forget: the observance of Memorial Day is an American tradition that must be maintained to honor those who served their country- in order to preserve democratic principles established so long ago.  If we are to survive as a great nation we must not forget the past. 

The Rev. Grace Brooks, a Montgomery resident and is buried here, who entered the ministry in the early 1900' s at Georgia Plains, Vermont and is believed to be the first woman ordained in the State of Vermont, and at her Memorial Day sermon on May 30, 1927 stated: 

"Memorial Day is one of the most significant occasions of the year.

It shows that as a nation we honor the spirit of patriotism . . . .

It is altogether fitting that at least once in the course of the busy year we should remind ourselves of the debt we owe to those who have suffered and died that we might have larger liberty."

For that service she used as the biblical text Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." 

Memorial Day was significant, is significant and must remain significant.

Let us pause 

Lest we forget

W.R.Branthoover

Cemeteries of the Town of Montgomery, Vermont.

Cemetery                                                         First Burial

Clapp Cemetery                                               1801

Montgomery Center Old Cemetery             1822

Montgomery Village Cemetery                     1843

Montgomery Center Cemetery                     1864

West Hill Cemetery                                          1871

St. Isidore Cemetery                                        1872

2006 St. Isidore Cemetery

2007 Clapp Cemetery

2008 Montgomery Center Old Cemetery

2009 Montgomery Village Cemetery

2010 Montgomery Center Cemetery  (15^th Anniversary!)

2011 Montgomery Common

2012 West Hill Cemetery

2013 St. Isidore Cemetery

2014 Clapp Cemetery

2015 Montgomery Center Old Cemetery

2016 Montgomery Village Cemetery (20^th Anniversary!)

2017 Montgomery Center Cemetery

2018 Montgomery Common

2019 West Hill Cemetery

2020 St. Isidore Cemetery

 

Burials other than in one of the Town cemeteries.

1. On East Hill (Rt. 242, Jay Road) at the old Curt Davis home a gravestone was located under an apple tree out behind the house.

Ira R.Warren died April 17 1859 Ae 36 yrs & 10 mo 

A short distance from this grave is another grave in a lilac grove but identification not known (July 20,1975, 2005)

2. Regan Road - approximately one mile from the South School on Rt. 118 are two grave stones lying on the ground under an apple tree (August 15, 1973):

Eliza A. (Upham)

wife of John H.Tarble

died Aug. 24, 1857

Aged 48 years

 

Lurana (Joy)

wife of John Tarble

died Aug. 16, 1852

Age 43 yrs & 10 ms 

3. Further along on the Regan Road on what was known as the Reed place is another grave stone.

Stillman Wilkins

died Aug. 27, 1854

Aged 45 years

4. On the Gibeau Road - the old Cushing farm on the road from the Gibeau to Hill West supposedly has three graves but not found (Aug. 15, 1973).  5. Gibeau Road - grave found on the Mason Lot about half way up Brown Hill beyond where the schoolhouse used to stand. Grave several hundred yards in the woods on the left. Found 1978. 

Guy D.

son of John & Mary Mason

Died March 12 1859

Aged 3 years

Typical Memorial Day Program

 

I. Invocation

II. Welcome 

III. Special Music ( if it is the National Anthem, put before the welcome)

IV. Edgar Guest's poem "Memorial Day" 

V. Address

VI. Roll Call of Veterans in that cemetery 

Pericles, one of the greatest Greek statesmen wrote some 2450 years ago:

I would have you, day by day, fix your eyes upon the greatness of your country, until you are filled with the love of her; and when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory; reflect that it had been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it. 

VII. Military Salute by the American Legion Post #242 of Enosburg

  a. Gun salute

  b. Benediction

  c. Taps

VIII. Tailgate refreshments

Memorial Day

by

Edgar Guest

 

Blow gently, winds of May,

And softly stir the trees,

Whispering today

The love we bear to these

Who sleep that silent sleep,

At rest forevermore.

 

Blow gently, winds of May . .

Their warfare now is o'er.

Blow gently, winds of May,

Bearing the perfume rare

Of blossom's o'er the way;

Rose petals scatter there;

The starry flag we place

In glory on each grave,

Catches in a fond embrace

For us and proudly waves.

 

Blow gently, winds of May,

Shine softly, summer sun;

Our heroes sleep today,

Their duty nobly done.

And with the flag they loved,

And flowers, we come today

To honor those who sleep . .

Blow gently, winds of May.

 

A Brief Resume of the Wars in which Montgomery Men Served

 

Revolutionary War

      The American Revolution spanned the time from April 19, 1775, the battle of Lexington, to the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783. For eight years the original thirteen Colonies struggled for independence and even with the Treaty signed in 1783 it took the British until 1795 to vacate Forts Niagara, Detroit and Michilimackinac. At the time of the struggle for independence approximately one third of the population ardently served the patriotic cause, one third espoused the cause of the English and the remaining one third vacillated either way. It is interesting to note that nearly 2500 Canadians, mostly French Canadian, served the American cause during the campaign in Canada.
 
 War of 1812

      President Madison asked Congress to declare war against. Great Britain based on three provocations: the impressment of American sailors, depredations by British vessels upon American shipping along the Atlantic coast and the seizures of American cargoes in violation of international law. Soldiers of this war buried in Montgomery were, for the most part, engaged in the battle of Plattsburg, New York September 5 11, 1814. This war, beginning June 18, 1812, ended with the Treaty of Ghent December 24, 1814, though the battle of New Orleans took place January 8, 1815. This last battle was fought because communications had not yet reach~d New Orleans that the war was over. The War of 1812 was very unpopular with Vermonters because it interfered with the normal trade with Canada.

Civil War

      Climatic event of the 19th century American history beginning with Fort Sumter April 12, 1861 and ending April 9, 1865. 

     Many inhabitants of Montgomery were caught up in the spreading fervor of patriotism at the opening of the Civil War. The population of Montgomery in 1860 numbered 1261 and of this number some 118 men were to join the Union forces. This figure represents 9% of the town's citizens; a fact representing Montgomery's attitude in preserving the Union. The next four years proved to be a bitter and pathetic internal strife within the nation.

     Vermont became deeply enmeshed in the nationalism of the war system and eventually 142 men with Montgomery connections, either during or after the war, service in this great conflict

     The men from Montgomery, who joined eleven different Regiments, left the hills of Montgomery for several reasons: patriotism, drafted, a spirit of adventure beyond anything they had known in Montgomery, and, in some cases, a monetary sum, usually $300.00, for enlisting or substituting for someone else. Upon leaving the community the recruits traveled to Camp Lincoln at Brattleboro which served as a point of departure from the state. Upon arrival at Camp Lincoln their first introduction to military life was not always pleasant; the meal was usually soft bread, cold beef and poor coffee. 

     The sleeping facilities were crowded low narrow wooden bunks. Each soldier was soon issued his uniform - one pair trousers, one dress coat, one blouse coat, overcoat, cap, shoes (if needed), socks, woolen shirts and cotton drawers all of which were made for the average size person. Large and small men had definite uniform problems.

     In addition to the uniform each soldier received a blanket, a Springfield rifle (some of which were manufactured in Windsor, Vermont), gun straps, knapsack, haversack, tin cup and canteen, waist and shoulder belts and straps. When permitted, the new recruit went into Brattleboro to have his picture taken which was then sent home.  

     Most all recruits were familiar with guns; the History of the 13th Regiment mentions the Montgomery boys as adept in hunting wildcats, panthers and bear, but their experience with guns having bayonets was completely a new experience. Military drill began at Camp Lincoln and quite often the Governor of Vermont inspected and reviewed troops prior to their departure from Vermont 
 
     A common route for the front was taken by train to New Haven, Connecticut, steamboat to New York, a short march to Jersey City for a train to Philadelphia. Freight cars were used from Philadelphia to Baltimore where the journey took on a guarded approach as Baltimore haG many Rebel sympathizers and sometimes these trains were attacked. From Baltimore the trains moved on to Washington, the Vermont troops marched through the Capitol, these Green Mountain boys were awestruck by the buildings, and on to Camp Casey near the city. It was from this camp that they were deployed to various fronts. 

Spanish - American War 

     This conflict between the United States and Spain was based on three premises: popular indignation in the United States over the cruel misrule of Cuba, desire of American capitalists to terminate perennial disturbances in Cuba and the unexplained sinking of the U. S. Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor. President William McKinley requested Congress on April 11, 1898 to take the initiative which resulted in a resolution demanding Spain relinquish its authority in Cuba and empowering the President to use military force to enforce the demand. An armistice was signed in Paris on August 12, 1898. 

World War I

      Though European combatants were at war in 1914 the United States did not enter the war until April 2, 1917. President Woodrow Wilson had led the nation on a neutral course but the sinking of the Lusitania on May 15, 1915 and German submarine warfare in 1917 led President Wilson to change his mind. In January 1919 thirty-two nations gathered in Paris to solve the complicated problems of a peace settlement.

World War II

      Economic problems, nationalism, the rise of dictatorships and aggression led to this global armed conflict. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 precipitated the United States to enter the war the following day. Allied troops landed in Normandy, France on D Day June 6, 1944; Germany surrendered to the Allies at Reims, France May 7, 1945. The atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan August 9, 1945 and Japan surrendered the following month - September 2, 1945

Korean War 

     North Korean Communist troops invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950 and the United Nations (UN) demanded that North Korea halt such action. Two days later President Harry S. Truman ordered United States Air and Naval forces to help defend South Korea while the UN asked other nations for assistance. The Allied Troops stopped the deepest Communist advance but began to retreat after an attack by the Chinese on November 26. After many truce negotiations, fighting ended July 27, 1953.

Vietnam War 

     The United States sent 2~ billion dollars in military equipment to the French in Vietnam but this did not prevent the French defeat in 1954. This financial aid was based on a policy of President Harry S.. Truman to nonCommunist South Vietnam such policy to be followed by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. Reason behind this policy was the fear that if one Southeast Asian nation fell to the Communists then -others would follow. For the United States the conflict lasted from March 6, 1965 to the arrangement of a cease fire in January 1973 and with peace negotiations until April 30, 1975.

Persian Gulf War 

     On August 2, 1990 the country of Iraq invaded its neighbor Kuwait. This overt action was immediately condemned by most of the members of the United Nations ,which quickly demanded Iraq withdraw to its own borders. The UN further sanctioned other means if necessary to obtain this goal.

War In Iraq 

War In Afghanistan

     The following military personnel, shown alphabetical by cemetery, are buried in the Town of Montgomery, Vermont.  Records of these burials were brought up to date by the Society in May 2010.  Please notify us of any corrections or omissions.

Clapp Cemetery

Samuel Barnard, Rev

Eli Bush, War of 1812

Hiram Carpenter, Militia 1839

Roswell Catlin, Rev

John Clapp, Rev

Joshua Clapp, Rev

Pliney Fasset, Militia 1839 - 1843

Dwight Goodspeed, Militia 1844

Rufus Goodspeed, Militia 1840 - 1844

Shearjashub Goodspeed,  Rev

Thomas Kingsley, Militia 1839 - 1844

John Riley, Rev

John Scott, War of·1812

Rufus Smith, War of 1812

James Topspham, Rev

 

Montgomery Center Old Cemetery

Morris Braman, Civil War

Archibald Campbell, Militia 1839-1844

Charles Campbell, War of 1812

George Campbell, Militia 1839-1844

John Cressey, War of 1812

Lewis Goodspeed, Militia 1839-1844

Charles Haile, Civil War

Nathan Haile, Militia 1839-1844

Elisha Hendrick, 17 when he died at Camp Griffin,  VA, Jan. 19, 1862

Horace Jackson, Civl War

Ruben Jackson, Civil War

John Johnson, War of 1812

Jonah Johnson, Rev

Josiah Johnson, War of 1812

Liberty Johnson, Militia 1839-1844

Otis L.Kelton, Militia 1839-1844

Samuel Lusk, War of 1812

William Mansfield, Militia 1839-1844

Charles Martin, Milita 1844

James Martin, Militia 1839-1844

Robert Martin, Rev and War of 1812

Timothy Martin, Militia 1839-1844

Abijah Moor, Rev

Leavitt Moore, Militia 1839-1844

Horace Rawson, Militia 1839-1844

Windsor Rawson, Militia 1840-1841

Lemuel Robbins, Militia 1839-1844

Simon Russell, Civl War

Richard Smith, War of 1812

Jonathan Stevens, War of 1812

Simeon Thomas, Militia 1839-1844, Civil War

Zebulon Thomas, Militia 1839-1844

Joshua Wade, Rev and War of 1812

Shelburn Wilkins, Militia 1839-1844

 

Montgomery Village Cemetery

Roland Baker, Korea

Selah Bennett, WWII

Ernest Bonnette, WWI

Stephen Bosley, Vietnam

Aaron Bubdy, Civil War

William Brooks, Spanish American

Albert Burdette, Spanis American

Melvin Chaffee, WWII

Joseph Clark, Civil War

Robert Crook, Militia 1844

George Cushing, Civil War

John Combs, Civil War

Samuel Davis, Civil War

Sylvanius Davis, Civil War

William Dingman, Civil War

Edward Domina, WWI

Darius Domina, Civil War

Amherst Dow, Civil War

Raymond Embury, Korea

Samuel Fuller, Militia 1843

Edgar Furnold, Militia 1839 & 1843

Delphus Gates, Militia 1844

George Gates, Militia 1839-1840

Nelson Goodspeed, Civil War

Salva Goodspeed, Militia 1839-1844

Seth Goodspeed Jr., Militia 1840-1844

Joshua Hamilton, Militia 1844

Henry Head, Civil War

Moses Head, Militia 1839-1844

Samuel Head, Militia 1839-1844

Frank Hill, WWI

Levi Janes, Militia 1839-1844

Donald Jewett, WWII

Gordon Jewett, WWII

 Hugh Jewett, WWII

Albert Kingsley, Civil War

Alferie La Fleur, WWII

John La Fountain, Civil War

Joseph La Fountain, Civil War

Peter La Fountain, Civil War

Raymond Lamphear, Korea

Philo Lanpher, Civil War

Francis Lapier, Civil War

John La Rock, Civil War

Silas La Rock, Civil War

Henry Lozo, Civil War

Bert Lumbra, Spanish American

Michael Manosh, Civil War

James Manzer, Civil War

Henry Martin, Civil War

Lyman Martin, Militia 1844

Sidney Martin, Militgia 1844

Talma McAllister, Civil War

John Monteith, Civil War

Albert Moore, Civil War

James Neary, WWII and Korea

James Newcity, Spanish American

Ronald Newton, Korea

Martin O'Brian, WWI

Orin Parker, Militia 1839-1841

Mark Paxman, Vietnam

Victor Pellegrimi, WWII

Alfred Provo, Civil War

Hiram Rawson, Militia 1839-1844

Benjamin Richardson, War of 1812

Ongen Richardson, Civil War

Roy Roberts, WWI

Moses Scott, Militia 1839-1844

Aaron Samson, Militia 1839-1844

Henry Shina, Civil War

Leander Shina, Civil War

Peter Shover, Civil War

James Smith, Civil War

Arthur St. Onge, Sr.WWI

Joel Swan, Militia 1843

Guy Sylvester, WWII

George Taylor, Militai 1839-1844

Noah Taylor, Militia 1839-1844

Frank Touchette, Civil War

Fred Touchette, WWI

Douglas Tryhorne, WWII

James Upham, Militia 1839-1840

Albert Venner Jr., WWII

George Wade, Militia 1844

William Wade, War of 1812 and Militia 1841-1844

Alonzo Watkins, Militia 1839-1844

Augustus Wheeler, Militia 1843-1844

Charles Wheeler, Militia 1840-1842

 

Montgomery Center Cemetery

Henry Barber, WWI

Charles Barnard, Civil War

Darius Barnes, Civil War

Leonard Benoit, WWI

Wensley Blake, WW II

Allen Bowman, Vietnam

Joseph Bressette, Civil War

Wallace Bressette, WWI

Paul Brooks, Civil War

Paul Buskey, Civil War

Roy Buskey, WWI

Joseph Buzzel, WWI

Joseph Buzzo, Civil War

Gordon Cantell, WW II

Roderick Chaplin, Civil War

Harold Coan, WW II

William Coan, Civil War

William Collins, WWI

Walter Cousins, WW II

Abraham Deuso, Civil War

Edward Deuso, Civil War

Edward Deuso, WW II

Pauline Deuso, WWII & Korea

Samuel Dix, Civil War

Antoine Duso, Civil War

Warren Farrar, WWI 

Byron Foot, Spanish American

Fred Foster, WWI

Peter Frazer, Civil War

George Fuller, Civil War

Dale Gilbar, Vietnam

Sherman Gilbar WWII

Bernard Goodwin WWII

John Goodspeed, Militia 1839-1844

James Guthrie, WWI

Samuel Hall, Civil War

 Joseph Hutchins, Militia 1844

Horace Jackson, Civil War

William Jewett, Civil War

Jerold Kennett, WWII

William Kennett, WWI

Ralph Kingsley, WWI

Roger Laflam, WWII

Charles Laplant, WWI

Douglas Libbey, WWII

Chester Longe, Spanish American

Fenton Longe, WWII

Guy Longe, WWII

Donald Lumbra, Korea

Leonard Lumbra, WWII

Peter Lumbra, Civil War

Roland Lumbra, WWII

Ronald Lumbra, WWII

Samuel Macomber, Civil War

Ben Marcy, WWI

Russell Marcy, Militia 1839-1840

Gaylord Mason, WWI

John Mason, Civil War

Porter James Moore, WWII

William Phelps, Militia 1843

Rufus Rawson, Militia 1843

Hardy Rossier, WWI

Horace Rowley, Civil War

Eugene Shover, WWI

Harley Shover, WWI

Malcolm Simmons, WWII

Arthur Snider, post Korea

William Stiles, Civil War

Howard Sylvester, WWII

William Vonsylvester, WWII

Henry Wrede, Korea

Amos Wright, Civil War

Evans Wright, Civil War

Henry Wright, Civil War

 

West Hill Cemetery

Bruce Babbit, WWII

Michael Diana, WWII

Daniel Dollois, Korea

Arthur Fellman

Edward Gagnon, WWII

Louis Murray, Civil War

Aldo Piangelli, WWII

John Reighley, WWII

Warren Rifenburgh, Korea

Robert Rowley, WWII

Eleazer Rushford, Civil War

Glenford Wetherby, Korea

 

St. Isidore Cemetery

Reginald Austin, Korea

Raymond Bressette, Korea

Frank Brooks

Earl Burns, WWII

Glendon Chase, WWII

Armand Chauvin, WWII

Mitchel Demar, WWI

Romeo Deuso, Korea

Romeo Domina, WWII

Carlton Donna, WWII

Harlan Donna, WWII

Roger Donna, WWII

Walter Duchnik, WWII

Cuchino Duffy,

Leon Fairbanks, WW II

Max Hart, WW I I

Antoine Hope, Civil War

John Kennett, WW II

Lionel Lamore, WW II

Howard Larock, Spanish - American

Arthur Lumbra, WW II

Burt Lumbra, Spanish - American

Merton Lumbra, WW II

Wellington Lumbra, WW II

William McCarty, WW II

Jerome McElroy, WW I

John Mercy, Korea

Ray Myott, WW II

Edmund Paquette, Korea

Roland Ploof, WWII

Adelard Potvin, WW II

Leo Potvin, WWII

Romeo Potvin, WW II

Emile Pudvah, WW II

Richard (Pete) Rivera, Korea

Merle Saulters, WW II

Merriman Sheltra, Vietnam

Arthur Snider, post Korea

Theotime St. Cyr, WW II

Gerold Sylvester, WW II

Lawrence Sylvester, WW II

Armold Tatro, WWII

Howard Tatro, WW II

Joseph Tatro, Civil War

Carl Tcherny, WW II

Francis Touchette, WW II

Lewis Touchette, WW I

Louis Touchette, Civil War

Robert Touchette, Korea

Wallace Touchette, WW I

Philip Tracy, WW II

 
     Up until 1990 the Town of Montgomery had no monument commemorating those from the Town who had served their country. Through the inspiration of local citizens, funds were raised for the triangular monument which was dedicated on November 11,1990. Contributors are hereby listed; names in parenthesis indicate the veteran for whom a contribution was made.

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