Veterans Day Ceremony at Fairmount Cemetery Honors Service and Sacrifice

The keynote address was delivered by Will Griffis, a San Angelo attorney and Marine Corps veteran, who recounted his experience during the Battle of Nasiriyah in the 2003 Gulf War. Griffis detailed the battle, fought from March 23 to April 2, 2003, as the first major combat operation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He emphasized the courage of U.S. Marines in this pivotal engagement at a strategic crossroads leading to Baghdad.

The ceremony featured a traditional three-volley rifle salute performed by Fort Concho reenactors using Civil War-era rifles. This was followed by Central High School band director Jason Jones performing Taps on the trumpet. County Commissioner Precinct 3 Rick Bacon concluded the event with a heartfelt prayer.

A musical tribute by Dorothy Douthit on solo violin included Amazing Grace and Ashokan Farewell. The latter, composed in 1982 by Jay Ungar, is widely recognized as the theme for Ken Burns’ Civil War documentary. Ungar has said the piece was partly inspired by the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

During the ceremony, although "Ashokan Farewell" may have evoked strong emotions, none knew of its pairing with Civil War soldier Sullivan Ballou’s poignant letter to his wife, Sarah, in Burns’ documentary. Ballou’s letter conveyed his profound love for his family and his unwavering commitment to his country as the Union Army rushed into war against the Rebellion in Virginia.

“I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt…”

Sadly, Sullivan Ballou was killed during the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. The First Bull Run was the first major conflict of the Civil War and where Confederate General Thomas Jonathan Jackson earned the nickname "Stonewall Jackson."

Watch a portion of Dorothy Douthit's violin performance:

Here is the entire text of Sullivan Ballou’s letter to his wife, Sarah:

My very dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days — perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more …

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing — perfectly willing — to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt …

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me — perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness …

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights … always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again …