Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 Brothers Ed Gibson and Jim Johnson participated in the Memorial Day Program at Wilmington National Cemetery on May 30, 2016.
The Ruger Camp #1 wreath was placed at the central flag pole in honor of all military heroes from all branches of the US Armed Forces.
The names of 634 local armed forces personal who had past since last Memorial Day 2015 were read out-loud during the ceremony.
A visit was also made to the Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington to honor additional war heroes.
At the cemeteries a total of four graves were individually honored with roses placed on each headstone.
At the Wilmington National Cemetery Brother Ed Gibson’s father, SGT Elwood Watson Gibson USMC, was honored for his service in Vietnam.
In the Oakdale Cemetery, William Broughton, a North Carolinian who serviced in the Union army during the Civil War was also honored.
Sargent William Broughton was an Englishman who served with a Union Virginia Regiment and died in Wilmington in April 1865.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead... have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
A. Lincoln
Gettysburg
November 19, 1863
