This past Sunday, Jim and I made our way over to Mount Hebron Cemetery and Gatehouse in Winchester, Virginia. It was a misty, dreary afternoon with a little bit of fog and it was the perfect setting to go walking throughout these hollowed grounds. We found our way to the Stonewall Cemetery section which is the Confederate soldiers burial grounds and memorial.  Even though it had been such a long time ago when these heroes had perished – I just couldn’t help but have a heavy heart. The rows and rows of the dead behind the large monuments representing their home States was truly astonishing.

The Stonewall Cemetery has 2576 war dead.

These men were so young and so valiant. They were loyal and honorable. Most of these young men were only in their twenties when they were called to fight in a war and left home knowing that they would most likely never return. They did so without reservation and for something that they believed in: life and liberty. Love of Country. Freedom.

Thank God that for the men and women who still believe in the same principles of our fallen heroes and have the desire to step up when others are not able to. Thank you to the ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

We will never forget you and will always have much gratitude.