Memorial Day in the USA

"that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -- Abraham Lincoln

These words came clear to me recently on a visit to Baldwin Cemetery in the town of Vernon, Indiana.  While I was studying a nearby fossil locality, my journey took me though this cemetery where I came across the tombstones of two soldiers.  Both men have the same last names and buried within meters of each other. One died during World War II and the other a soldier in the American Civil War serving with the 22 Regiment Indiana Infantry died of old age during World War I. 

Memorial Day was created to honor soldiers like this.

Interesting, the same cemetery more veterans were found and again with the same family name.  These veterans were from the War of 1812 and the American Civil War.

Another grave marker appears to be from the famous Indiana Limestone and shows some the excellent stone carving craftsmanship.  It represents a tree stump with a fern growing next to it.

The Muscatatuck River flowing near the cemetery.

Cephalopod imprint of a Silurian Dawsonoceras(?) in the Laurel Dolomite.