November is a very special month. We’ve made it through Halloween, we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas and much colder weather. The holiday many people forget in November is Veteran’s Day. Twice a year we honor our Veterans. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May, always between May 25 and May 31. Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day in 1868 to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War and evolved into a national holiday remembering all U.S. military personnel who died in service. It’s no longer a somber day as we also celebrate the start of summer with parades, camping, family picnics and fireworks.
Veteran’s Day is observed every year on November 11, no matter what day of the week it falls on, to honor the service and sacrifice of all US Military Veterans. World War I, then called “The Great War,” ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, but hostilities ceased earlier when the armistice took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. This day has become symbolic of the end of the war. On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day, calling for parades, public meetings and a 2 minute suspension of business at 11am, to honor those who died in service and to express gratitude for victory. Please continue to honor the memory of our Veterans this Veteran’s Day.
I didn’t plan to mention Old Delhi Cemetery in this yarn but what’s an Old Delhi Yarn without a cemetery? There are forgotten US veteran’s buried in cemeteries around the world.The best way to honor someone is to say their name. There are Veterans buried in the Delaware Co Poorhouse Cemetery whose names have been forgotten. I’m researching their stories for an article I hope to publish Memorial Day 2027. A NYS veteran, PVT Allen Knapp, is buried in the Old Delhi Cemetery. PVT Knapp was a member of the Unadilla, NY Light Infantry and died of disease on Nov 1, 1845, while stationed in Delhi during the insurrection following the killing of Undersheriff Osman Steele in the Anti Rent War on August 7, 1845. PVT Allen Knapp’s age was 21 years, 2 months. His grave site is remembered with a flag on Memorial Day. His grave marker is a small marble obelisk on the Court Street side of the burial ground and can be seen from the street. The second photo is the Soldier’s Circle in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.
