By Commander Tom Nelson (Ret), U.S. Naval Reserves
Memorial Day Remarks - May 25, 2009
Gypsy Hill Park Gazebo, Staunton, Virginia
Number of deaths: 2,260
One crewman aboard the privateer Schooner General Tompkins was killed when a twenty-four pound shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the lower part of his body.
Before he died, even in this state, the poor brave fellow lay on the deck, and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, "Fire away, my boys ... no haul a color down."
HONOR: John Johnson, a black man who died a hero in the War of 1812
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