JS Tip 529: Respecting Memorial Day

Monday is Memorial Day, the day we remember those who died while serving in the armed forces.  

Let us remember one of the fallen to remember all of the fallen. 

William Broaddus was the town constable in Macomb, Illinois. 

When the American Civil War began in 1861, he joined the 78th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His leadership skills brought him an officer’s commission, a promotion to major, and an assignment as the regimental admin officer.

His letters home are filled with the cares of every soldier. Concern over a sick child. Stories of other men serving in the unit. Reports of moving closer to the front.  

On September 20th, 1863, he was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga. 

His death devastated his family. Martha, his wife, wrote to a friend: 

There is heardly a night but I see him in my dreams. He always seems so glad to be home. One night I dreamed that he came home, and I told him the Colonel said he was dead. He said he knew that, but the Colonel didn’t know what had really happened.

I ran to the neighbors to tell them that he had come home. I told them it was really so, and it wasn’t a dream. I felt so overjoyed that I awoke and found it was a dream. It seemed as if I could not have it so.

Most of us have never heard of William Broaddus before. 

Now we can remember him. One of many. He and the others who gave their lives for this country are real. Their sacrifice is real. We need to remember that. 

Next week, we’ll go back to our regular tips.