The Bedford County Historical Society is undertaking a multi-year program highlighting the Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of America's Civil War. Pleasantville Cemetery in Alum Bank, PA has been the first site chosen for this year's Memorial Day service. The public is invited to join us in our appreciative and humble efforts to pay honor and respect to all those from all wars and conflicts who have given their lives for the freedom and security we enjoy today.

Pleasantville Cemetery

A parade through the town is scheduled to begin at 11:00 A.M. The course will begin on Barefoot Road and follow out Route 96 north, left at the light, and continue up 56 West; turn right onto Cemetery Road and will end at the Pleasantville Cemetery. In addition to the scheduled units, any veterans, active duty personnel, people of the community, especially youth wishing to participate, are invited to do so and should report to Barefoot Road; lineup begins at 10:00 A.M. Period attire is encouraged, but is not necessary.

Following the procession, a memorial service will be conducted. Chorus selections by the Chestnut Ridge High School Chorus will be presented, while music selections will be provided by the Fishertown Community Band. Decoration of soldiers' graves is planned, followed by the traditional Memorial Day Service conducted by the Pleasantville V.F.W. and Ladies Auxiliary of Post 9219. The Salute and Taps will be provided by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.

Since the Pleasantville VFW, Post 9219 has always held the service on the 30th of May (Traditional Memorial Day); this year will be unique since May 30th, 2011 will fall on that Monday of the three day weekend. Therefore, this special event will involve the combined efforts of the Pleasantville VFW, Post 9219 and the Bedford County Historical Society.

The Pleasantville Post 9219, Veterans of Foreign Wars has been overly generous in obtaining United States flags for the kids, ribbons for the parade and ceremony participants, as well as, other supportive expenses. John Lang, Commander states, "From the beginning of our Charter which was established on March 18, 1947; we at the Rininger Hartle Post 9219, have honored our heroic dead on May 30th of each year. The original General Order No. 11 was issued by General John A. Logan, Commander in Chief on May 5, 1868. Since Post 9219 has been in existence, this order has been upheld by all former and present Post Commanders. It remains our intention that we at Post 9219 will continue to honor our fallen heroes on May 30th for all years to come."

Unbeknown to many people, the V.F.W. Post 9219 gives back to the community in a variety of ways. Countless numbers of deserving individuals, as well as, various organizations within our school system and community have been the recipients of financial assistance. In addition, child oriented activities are provided at special times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter.

Sincere gratitude is extended to the Alum Bank Community Volunteer Fire Company in their assistance with participant invitations, in addition to logistics and safety concerns for the planned commemoration.

The Bedford County Historical Society is planning to have red sashes placed on the tombstones depicting civil war soldiers buried in the cemetery, as well as, having programs available for the event. The printing of such was made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations in the Pleasantville area and will be listed on the program. The Bedford County Garden Club will be furnishing flowers of the Civil War time period for the individual graves.

William Roy Mock of Pleasantville will be the keynote speaker and with the permission of the historical society, will carry the 138th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry flag in the parade. Mock passionately suggests "that the community and surrounding areas are encouraged to display their American flags and to showcase any/ all patriotic exhibits suitable for the solemn occasion."

Flags Representing All Wars And Conflicts

Memorial Day, formally called Decoration Day has its origin tied to America's Civil War. On May 5, 1868, the commander-in-chief, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization issued a proclamation as to the creation of a nationally observed day of remembrance for America's fallen war dead. The 30th day of May, 1868 was designated. That day was initiated by law in New York in 1873. Established in 1882, the observance was adopted across the United States on May 30th and renamed "Memorial Day." After World War I, the day was expanded to commemorate all those who died in military service.

In 1973, the day was officially changed to the last Monday in May, but not without controversy. As aforementioned, Memorial Day formally was first officially observed on May 30th. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) advocate returning to this fixed date.

The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address:

"Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

William Roy Mock reminisces from years gone by:

"When I was a kid, Memorial Day in Pleasantville was a big deal! Throughout the town; on porches and boardwalks along the street (Route 56) , there were tables set up with all types of patriotic items for sale; many being handmade, along with homemade baked goods. There were countless American Flags displayed, with sporadic red, white and blue bunting draped along the banisters. Numerous spectators would be seen lining both sides of the parade route."

"The parade came up through town with the honor guard in front; usually followed by other veterans representing all branches. I recall of the Fishertown Community Band providing music. Prior to the parade, all the kids were given American Flags to carry and invited to march or ride in the parade. In preparation, a number of the kids would spend a great deal of time decorating their bikes; colored crepe paper meticulously woven throughout their spokes, as well as, the handle bars. Some had small mounted flags on the front. I remember how proud I felt to march by, as my grandfather, parents and other family members watched. As the tail end of the parade worked its way through town; the commemoration did not end there. Many of the town's people and others from surrounding areas of the county would fall in behind and continue on."

"At the west side of town, the parade would make a sharp right and continue onto what is presently called Cemetery Road. Once all was ready at the cemetery, there would be a service held with great numbers of spectators being present. Later, that day, the Fishertown Band would set up between my grandfather's, Roy Aaron Mock's front porch and the antebellum Lutheran Church. They played patriotic music for the many folks gathered from the local and surrounding areas."

Sadly, with the passage of time, it has been many years since Pleasantville has had a Memorial Day parade. However, maintaining loyalty to their comrades, the Pleasantville V.F.W., Post 9219 has never wavered and yearly carries out a memorial service on May 30th, accompanied by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.

Mock, a Vietnam Veteran and member of the Fort Bedford Honor Guard stated "through the years at the service, it is disheartening, when I look around and see more members present of the Honor Guard and Pleasantville V.F.W. than from the community." It is hoped that this year, as it was many years ago, that the events of the day will be well attended in an attempt to pay honor and respect to "those who have given their lives for our lives."

He concluded, "It seems to me that we could certainly take time out of our so called busy schedules and commemorate, and even perhaps say 'thank you' to all those brave souls who died 'for us, the living.' "

Excerpt from GENERAL ORDERS, No. 11 "If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us." John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

Excerpt from GENERAL ORDERS, No. 11 "Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic." John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

To see a copy of the poster announcing this event, click on Commemoration Service.

Please call (814) - 839 - 4649 for more information.