In Memory of . . . my father

Roe Henry Price

January 4, 1927 to December 5, 2007

As Memorial Day draws near, this post is in memory of my Father.  This is one of my favorite photos of him, so young, so handsome, so full of life.  And that smile, isn't it infectiousness?

My Father joined the Army when he was a senior in high school.  The Army agreed to let him finish high school and upon graduation he would be sworn in.  World War II was coming to a close and instead of being sent to Europe or Japan, my father was sent to Brazil.  He was part of a unit which took aerial photographs of Brazil and the Amazon River.

Having grown up in the mountains, my father intensely disliked hot weather.  Spending a year living on the equator must have been pure misery.  But like most things in his life, he accepted his lot and tried to make the best of his situation.  There's that infectiousness smile again.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government.  It is bestowed by the president, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."  Due to the nature of its criteria, it is often awarded posthumously.  The President of the United States presents the medal in person, on behalf of the Congress, representing and recognizing the gratitude of the American people as a whole.

Approximately 3, 475 Medals of Honor have been awarded.  During the Vietnam War, 246 Medals of Honor were received, 154 of them posthumously.

SGT Mitchell W. Stout

1950-1970

Sergeant Stout was in a bunker with members of a searchlight crew when the position came under heavy enemy mortar fire and ground attack.  When the intensity of the mortan fire subsided, an enemy grenade was thrown into the bunker.  Displaying great courage, Sergeant Stout ran to the grenade, picked it up, and started out of the bunker.  As he reached the door, the grenade exploded.  By holding the grenade close to his body and shielding its blast, he protected his fellow soldiers in the bunker from further injury or death.  Sergeant Stout's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and The United States Army.

Mitchell was my cousin.  When he was killed at The Battle of Khe Gio Bridge, he was five weeks into his second tour of duty.  When asked why he had chosen to serve a second tour of duty he replied, "because I might make a difference."  And he did.

Decoration Day

Memorial Day means different things to different people.  For some, Memorial Day is a holiday and it means time off from the job.  For others, it marks the end of a school year and the beginning of summer vacation.  In the 20th century, Memorial Day has become a long weekend devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach and the Indianapolis 500.


Decoration Day originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.  Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War.  By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.

Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, especially in the mountains.  Decoration Day may take on the appearance of a family reunion when a family cemetary is involved.  People and families gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with kinfolk and others.  "Dinner on the ground" a traditional term for a pot-luck meal is spread out on tablecloths on the grass.

My family has honored and celebrated Decoration Day for years.  Here are some of the reasons

This is Stock Creek Baptist Church established in 1872.  Great Grandparents Fred and Mary Eliza Ward are buried in this church cemetery.

This is the grave marker for Great Great Grandmother Anne Elizabeth Caldwell Plemons.  Grandmother Anne Elizabeth kept the family and farm in tact while Grandfather William Jefferson was fighting in the Civil War.

This is Middle Creek Methodist Church.  Grandmother Rebecca Ward Lowe was a member of this church and is buried in the church cemetery.  My parents met at this church and were married at the church parsonage.  Many members of my Mother's family are buried in this cemetery.

The family cemetery is in the mountains--Smoky Mountains.  The cemetery is located within the boundaries of the Smoky Mountain National Park.  Great Grandparents John Palmer and Sarah Miranda are buried in this cemetery.  My Grandfather carried the casket of his Granddaughter, Clara Ann on his shoulder up this long steep road and buried her in the family cemetery.