Ghosts On Parade

"History by apprising [citizens] of the past will enable them to judge of the future; it will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them as judges of the actions and designs of men; it will enable them to know ambition under every disguise it may assume; and knowing it, to defeat its views."
--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 14, 1781
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VMI
When the adjutant calls for the report, instead of the usual, "A Company, all present or accounted for, Sir," the names of the 10 cadets killed at New Market are called.
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"Corporal Atwill," goes the call.

"Corporal Atwill died on the field of honor, Sir," comes the reply.

"Private Haynes."

"Private Haynes died on the field of honor, Sir."

And so on, until all 10 names have been called. And remembered in the truest sense.

It seems to take a very long time, and in the hush that has fallen over the parade ground, you can hear that some of the visitors have not been able to bear it. They are crying. There is more crying still, when the bugler blows taps.
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