MEMORIAL DAY 2020: A SACRED TRADITION HELD IN AN UNPRECEDENTED WAY

By Richard M. Erikson, Chaplain, Brigadier General USAF (retired), VAFCC chaplain

The VAFCC is dedicated to honoring all First Corps of Cadets, living and deceased. The annual Memorial Day Ceremony is always marked by a wonderful gathering of 211th Military Police Battalion members, VAFCC members, family and friends. TAPS is played beautifully; a march is held faithfully; the fallen are memorialized solemnly. Always, that is, except in 2020. This year the ceremony was held in an unprecedented way due to pandemic protocols and the 211th being activated for COVID 19 relief and peacekeeping in the Commonwealth. Even though Gus Niewenhous was in a medical rehabilitation center recovering from a recent successful surgery, he still “pointed the way” by coordinating and guaranteeing the continuation of the remembrances. On Memorial Day, Major (MA) Fish honored the fallen with Taps. Chief Stedman and I led the ceremony with the traditional memorial roll cal, wreath laying, remarks and prayers. Michelle Abrams broadcast the ceremony live on the VAFCC Facebook page. My father (WWII Navy hero), and sister (who is daughter, sister and mother of military members) stood in for all who wanted to attend. Even though only a few people were able to gather, over 250 people have viewed the ceremony on the Facebook page. Hopefully, we will all gather next year and resume the traditional memorial observances of past years. We will do so knowing that our sacred Memorial Day remembrances have taken place uninterrupted over many years. Even the epic challenges of a pandemic could not prevent us from honoring the deceased heroes of the First Corps of Cadets who have pointed the way for us.

See the video of the ceremony here

Here is a commentary by Jessica Bussmann which Chief Stedman and I referenced in our remarks:

On November 16, 1867, the First Corps of Cadets memorial was dedicated. At the ceremony Governor Alexander Bullock remarked, “There is something not altogether sorrowful in our assembling upon these sacred grounds…to pay the offering of our hearts to the memory of these citizens and soldiers whose names are sculpted here. For this is a fitting place for a soldier’s rest.” (“Cadet Memorial Monument,” Boston Daily Advertiser, November 18, 1867)

Established in 1741, the first Corps of Cadets of Massachusetts provided officers for regiments serving from the Revolutionary War through World War II. In honor of 15 cadets who lost their lives during the Civil War the Corps purchased a lot at Mount Auburn (Lot 3215, Lawn Avenue) and raised funds for a cenotaph designed by Boston architect Theodore Colburn.

On each side of the capstone rising up from the pedestal is the Corps’ motto: “Monstrat Viam,” meaning “It points the way,” An eagle, the national symbol of freedom and courage, perches on top. Each side of the pedestal bears the name of a major American conflict from the French and Indian War to World War II. Marble panel inserts are incorporated into each side of the pedestal. Two panels record the names of the cadets who died in the “War of Rebellion;” the front panel bears the coat of arms of the State of Massachusetts; and the reverse side depicts the coat of arms of the United States with the inscription, “Dulce et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori,” which translates as “It is sweet and honorable to die for one’s country.”