Logan
graveside ceremony 2013
Brothers
of the SUVCW and Guest
We are gathered at the graveside of
General John A. "Black Jack" Logan to pay our respects and give
thanks for his service to our nation in its time of greatest need. General
Logan was a man of great passions, foremost of which was his love for our
Constitution and Republic. General Logan believed in the fight to preserve the
Union and he defended it with every ounce of strength he could provide. An
example of this passion, for the republic and our Constitutional system can be
found in an 1863 speech, given at Duquoin, Illinois, which was aimed at
convincing citizens of the western states and territories to quote " Quit your quarreling. Be for your Government in spite of what
anybody may say . . . be for the Union right or wrong." Tell people you
are for the success of the United States army and navy, no matter who is
President -- no matter what men are in the Cabinet, or who are in the majority
in Congress . . . say you are for the Union.
General Logan was also fiercely loyal to
the soldiers the soldiers who fought for the Union and the Veterans of the
Grand Army of the Republic. We all know of his order number eleven on May 5th
1868 to the posts of the GAR, which set the precedent for Memorial Day. In that
order General Logan told us to never allow avarice to diminish our commitment
to tell the story men who preserved the Union that he so deeply cherished.
To ensure that our history be taught to
all Americans and that the story remained unblemished and faithful to the
truth. To ensure this General Logan took up the call to provide education to
our youth. Logan stated that nations are counted great and remembered chiefly
for two things-- wisdom and power: the former the property of the few; the
latter the property of the many, though wielded by the few. Only by creating a
system of public school who provide the emphasis necessary to empower our
children to lead the nation.
Clearly, General Logan had a long range
outlook and the passion to see his beliefs fulfilled. He once said "I have
entered the field to die, if need be, for this government, and never return to
peaceful pursuits until this war of preservation has become a fact established.
" I believe that this quote could be used to describe not only the
physical Civil war fighting but also the General Logan's fight to ensure the
memory of the soldiers and the fight to educate our youth.
May we be as faithful to the cause as he
Thank you for allowing me this time to speak about
General Logan. May God Grant his peace to the soul of General Logan and may God
grant us the courage and dedication to carry on with his missions in our time.
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