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Date Posted: Wednesday, November 16 2005, 03:58pm
Author: 1st Sgt Ben Hatch
Subject: After Action Report: Veteran's Day at Rose Hill

Greetings Gentlemen and your Ladies: on Friday afternoon, Nov. 11th, 2005, men of the Order of Confederate Gray assembled at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fort Worth to assist in rededicating the original Southern Cross of Honor at the gravesite of Maj. J.M. Handley, CSA. The Grays were invited by Robt. E. Lee Camp #239 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to participate in this event, which was part of a larger Veteran's Day observance at the cemetery.

The Honor Guard consisted of: Johnny Wells, Commander of Camp #239; Dennis Hudgens, 2nd Lt. Cmdr.; David Moore, 3rd Lt. Cmdr.; Floyd Cox, Paul Martin, Bruce Pastusek, and William Ray of the 1st US Infantry, turning out in jeanwool for this one. First Sgt. Ben Hatch served as Sergeant of the Guard.
Sgt. Paul Martin and Pvt. Bruce Pastusek are also members of the Order of Confederate Gray.
This Honor Guard also served as guard for the general ceremony. We marched in at single file with fixed bayonets shortly before the ceremonies beginning. At the presentation of the Colors the Guard was brought to Present Arms, which was held through The National Anthem.
The observance consisted of an Invocation by Sam Hunt, music by Tory Barnett, and a reading of an essay about the US Flag, by Air Force Staff Sgt. R.L. Dellis, a Korean War veteran.
The keynote speaker was Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Clyde Picht, who spoke on the meaning of supporting the troops and its importance.
A series of memorial wreaths were presented. First was from the Gold Star Mothers, next was from the Julia Jackson Chapter 141 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Veterans of Foreign Wars also presented a wreath of dogtags. The Honor Guard was brought to Present Arms for each presentation.
Next, Barry Bentle, 1st Lt. Commander of R.E. Lee Camp, spoke on the re dedication of Major Handley's Cross of Honor. He told how it was found in a ditch shortly after Major Handley's body was removed from the Old Handley Cemetery to Rose Hill. After years of research, eventually aided by R.E. Lee Camp, it was determined to have been Major Handley's. It was restored, and replaced on the grave.
The observance concluded with a 21-gun Salute from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the performance of Taps. Once more the Guard presented arms.
1st Sgt. Hatch then marched the Honor Guard the short distance to Major Handley's grave to unviel and salute the restored Cross of Honor. About 30 people from the main observance followed us. Forming in single file behind the Major's grave, 1st Sgt. Hatch then stepped forward to perform the unvieling, then performed a slow Salute to the Major. The order was given to About Face, and then to Load. The Honor Guard rendered a 3-volley Salute to Major Handley, with the last shot double charged. Since the Rifles in the Guard this time were exactly seven in number, this made a wonderful 21-gun Salute of our own to a Confederate officer and dignitary in the early history of Fort Worth!
I would also like to say that I am proud to announce the recent promotion of Cpl. Paul Martin to Sergeant of Robert E. Lee Bivouac
My thanks go out to all who were able to participate in this memorial, especially Sgt. Paul Martin and Pvt. Bruce Pastusek.
Until the next call...
Honor and Serve
1st Sgt. Ben Hatch

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