Memorial Service and Celebration in Mt. Salem in Rockford Park United Methodist Church

Yesterday, Sunday, May 25, 1864 [2014], a special memorial service was held at Mt. Salem Church in Wilmington, Delaware, to honor our fallen soldiers and sailors interred at Mt. Salem Cemetery.  The services were presided over by the Reverend John F. Holden, Pastor, who relinquished the pulpit to keynote speaker, Major Andrew Werner, Chaplain of the 72nd Troop Command, Delaware Army National Guard.  Chaplain Werner delivered a thoughtful oration to the congregation, which included many family members and loved ones of the honored deceased, and several dignitaries.  Among the distinguished guests present was Samuel Francis duPont Bayard, Esq. [great grand], nephew of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont.  

Also evident at the service among the church members and visiting soldiers and sailors were several convalescing veterans in the crowd.  During the traditional  "Passing of the Peace (of God)," this reporter clasped hands with one particular wounded warrior who offered his remaining stump of a right hand without evident embarrassment, in the spirit of true Christian fellowship.  The scripture lesson that followed was taken from I Corinthians 11:23-36, which reads, in the words of Saint Paul:  "I have already told you what the Lord Jesus did on the night he was betrayed...."  (During this hellacious rebellion that has taken so many lives on both sides, one can't help but think of the "betrayal" of the errant southern states in leaving our sacred Union and causing so much bloodshed.)

After singing the final congregational hymn,  How Great Thou Art, and following Pastor Holden's prayer for peace and thanksgiving, a benediction was read in unison by the congregants to conclude the service.  There immediately followed a procession to the cemetery led by an honor guard composed of soldiers of the 2nd Delaware Regiment, and sailors of the USS Lehigh, carrying the National Flag and naval ensign, respectively.

At the cemetery gate, Boatswain's Mate, Daniel J. Cashin, gave a pipe salute followed by a proclamation read by Mr. DuPont honoring his namesake, Admiral Du Pont, and his fifty years of distinguished service to his country.  The Call to Order was delivered by Ship's Surgeon, Donald Fischer, which read:

"Today we remember and honor our Civil War and other veterans, especially those buried here.  We also recognize the brave men [and women] who serve today in our Country's military who have taken their places in the ranks of the patriots who came before them.  Through the great sacrifices that they and their families have made and are making, our freedoms have been established and defended."

Bells of Remembrance were solemnly tolled at the reading of the names of each fallen serviceman and wreaths were placed at several tombstones.  A rifle salute and taps were immediately followed by the closing prayer and recitation of Psalm 23 led again by Surgeon Fischer. 

The solemn ceremony concluded, a sumptuous picnic luncheon was given by the ladies of Mt. Salem in the fellowship hall, and outside under the trees.  The ceremony and festivities were blessed by beautiful sunny weather, further evidence of God's blessing upon us and our glorious Union.

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