Floyd's Opinion

This speech was made at Hollywood Cemetery on Memorial Day of 1987. After a parade down Monument Ave., in Richmond, VA, we finished with ceremonies and speeches by local dignitaries. Afterward individual units could go to any part of the cemetery they wished to have their own private ceremonies.

As my unit portrayed F Company of the 21st Va. Inf'ty. we wished to honor one of the original 'F's'. John H. Worsham is buried there. His book, "One of Jackson's Foot Cavalry" is a great read and very descriptive of his experiences in the Confederate Army. What made this day so special for our membership was the fact that in attendance were John Worsham's two grand-daughters and his grandson. Notice that there are no 'greats' in there. They told of of the many war stories that their grandfather had related to them.

When I finished my speech and we had fired a twenty-one gun salute, the two grand-daughters placed a wreath of beautiful white roses on John's grave. Afterward I asked them where they had been able to find such a wreath, as we had seldom seen roses as white and beautiful as these. They both smiled a broad smile and then told us how their grandfather had taken up gardening as a hobby, after the war. The yard of their house on Old Brook Road in Richmond was a showcase of flora. Of particular pride to John were his rose bushes. These white roses were from John's very own rose bushes he had cultivated in his years after the great conflict.

I feel no shame in admitting to you that tears came to my eyes upon hearing this story.

We are gathered here today, brothers and sisters, in the cause of freedom. We are here, on this hallowed ground, to pay tribute to those who have gone before us in the never ending fight for freedom from oppression.

It matters not who the oppressor is, only that there are those who are willing to make the sacrifices that are necessary to stop that which is unjust. There are those who lie in this sanctified place of rest, who made the ultimate sacrifice. They gave their lives for the cause of freedon. So that those who remained might live in a country and a world where no man need walk in fear. Who could ask for a more unselfish gesture?

John H. Worsham was one such man. Mr. Worsham was fortunate, in that he survived that awful conflict called the American Civil War; unfortunate, in that he had to live through the further hardships of reconstruction. Unfortunate, in that he had to witness his dream, and that of an entire people, freedom for the south, come to naught.

We do not seek to place Mr. Worsham and his ideals above those of the others who are buried here. We seek only to point out the reasons for their sacrifices. The one thing that brings us here today is quite simply this, adherence to principles. You can beat a man, take his property, lock his body in a cell, but no matter what you do to him or take from him, there is one thing that will always be his - his principles. Among these principles are honor and pride. A man is nothing without these.

These are words that are often scoffed at in these days of non-commitment and non-responsibility. But, they are words that should be taken seriously. They still apply, today more than ever.

We will not debate, on this sacred day, the justness of the cause for which these people of the south fought. That is for another time and place, if at all. What we will discuss today is the need, especially in these turbulent times, to adhere to principles. Principles of honor, righteousness, and honesty. This is not always easy to do. There are many evils that present themselves to each of us every day. It is all too often easier to throw principles to the wind and take the easy way out. To seek to avoid any responsibility, either to ourselves or others. But all you have to do if you ever begin to doubt the ability of yourself or others to do the right thing, to take a stand for that which you know is right, despite the hardships it may cause you, is to come to this place and look around you. Look at the simple stone slabs, some with only numbers on them to tell who lies there, or the ornate monuments that mark the final resting place of these men, and you will receive all the reassurance you will need.

Here are people who feared not death, but feared oppression more. Feared not hardships, but feared the idea of having to live with themselves if they did not follow what they knew was the proper course. How petty our problems should seem when compared to the incredible obstacles faced by our forefathers.

So, on this day, while we honor those who preceded us, let us also make a pledge to ourselves and to the memory or our forefathers. Let us try to emulate their adherence to principles. Let us try to do the right thing every time we are faced with a hardship that calls for sacrifice on our part. In doing this, what better way to honor the memory of these brave and resolute people.

By: Floyd C. Bayne, Captain
F Company, 21st Va. Inf’ty.

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