Local UDC chapters and local SCV camp dedicate marker
Published 6:58 am Tuesday, January 5, 2016
- Members are pictured, from left, Teresa Holder, Lunenburg chapter; Anne Gaulding, Lunenburg chapter; Mary Dunn, Lunenburg chapter; Merny Gordon, Lunenburg chapter; Esther Hudson, Lunenburg chapter; Patt Graves, H.A. Carrington chapter; Sharon Crockett, Kirkwood Otey chapter; Brenda Koziana, H.A. Carrington chapter; Deborah Kennedy, H.A. Carrington chapter; Diane Pettee H.A. Carrington chapter; and Jo Jo Palmer, H.A. Carrington chapter. Not pictured is Hope Lynne Graves from the H.A. Carrington chapter.
In late October, the H.A. Carrington chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy from Charlotte Court House, and Lunenburg chapter of the UDC from Victoria, received notice that the Victoria Post of the VFW was placing a marker in a local cemetery to honor one unknown Union soldier who died in the WBTS in late 1864.
Esther Hudson, president of Lunenburg Chapter, found the information on who had asked the VFW to do this.
She notified Patt Graves, president of H.A. Carrington, and they decided to get the full story.
C.A. “Bud” Arvin, a Korean War veteran and member of the Victoria VFW, had asked for help in honoring this unknown Union soldier who had died in his great-grandfather’s home in 1864 and was buried in the Arvin Family Cemetery.
The Charlotte County Grays Sons of Confederate Veterans, under the leadership of Commander Ron Graves, undertook the task of clearing and cleaning the cemetery. Together the UDC and SCV donated funds to have an equal marker made to honor the unknown Confederate soldiers.
With Arvin’s permission and help, they found what is believed to be at least 10 unmarked graves.
The Union marker was dedicated by BG Robert L. Tucker, US Army Retired, of the VFW and the Confederate marker dedicated by the UDC ladies.
The service was attended by 50 people.
