DAR holds ceremony at Perdue Cemetery
A patriotic ceremony to honor veterans of all wars was held on Nov. 11 at the historic Perdue Cemetery in Honoraville.
The cemetery was established in the 1850s by the family of James Hiland Perdue and Martha Ellis Perdue, who settled in Alabama in 1819. Six generations of their descendants are buried in the cemetery, including Private First Class James Louis Sampley.
Sampley, who served in the Rainbow Division, died of wounds received in action in France in 1918. He is representative of the 19 Butler County soldiers who were killed in action in World War I.
Members of the American Legion Post 24, the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society (BCHGS) and Fort Dale Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) joined together to commemorate the centennial of the signing of the Armistice agreement ending WWI.
Major Garry Newton and Rusty Parrish of the American Legion brought United States and World WWI flags to the cemetery. Other American Legion members in attendance included Walter Parmer, Gerald W. Johnson, and James Boggan.
Annie Crenshaw and Barbara Middleton of BCHGS decorated the cemetery with flowers and patriotic displays. Carole Teague, Annabel Markle, Judy Taylor and Pamala Nolan of the DAR contributed remembrance poppies for everyone.
Friends, neighbors and Perdue relatives from Honoraville, Greenville and Montgomery were in attendance.
Carole Teague, DAR Regent gave welcoming remarks. The invocation was given by George Waller. Major Garry Newton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Barbara Middleton, President of BCHGS and a Perdue descendant spoke about PFC James L. Sampley, one of the nineteen Butler County servicemen honored in July at the dedication of the Butler County WWI plaque who is buried at the cemetery.
Emma Cook, the daughter of an active duty serviceman (her mother is serving overseas) recited the poem “In Your Honor.” Attendees enjoyed the First Baptist Church of Greenville hand bell choir’s rendition of “Taps.”
Gerald W. Johnson, Butler County’s representative on the Alabama WWI Centennial Committee gave concluding remarks and noted that the ceremony was a very fitting end to the County’s activities to honor those who served in WWI and all veterans.
A reception following the event was held at the home of Marvin and Gloria Hartley where sandwiches, cake and punch were enjoyed by all.
