 |
|
Grave Marking Ceremony for Robert Horne
He was a rebel but he fought for what he believed was right. And time provides understanding and forgiveness. The Kings Own paid respects to Robert Horne during a grave marking ceremony on the 16 of October, 2005.
Robert Horne lived in Southborough, Massachusetts, and responded to the alarm when the British Regulars marched on Concord, the 19 of April, 1775. He also served at other points during the revolution. He was buried in Southborough but his gravestone was destroyed during a hurricane - surmised as the Hurricane of 1938. Anyone who has walked through an ancient cemetary will recall how thin and fragile old gravestones are. After the hurricane, there were no monies at the time to replace the stones.
A recent grant was awarded to create a place a new stone marker, and the ceremony included descendents of Robert Horne, many of whom still live in Southborough. Southborough Historical Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sons of American Revolution, Southborough Militia, and the public were also in attendance.
The parade marched from the Southborough Historical Society to the stone marker. The Kings Own was not present at this time but answered when the Southborough Militia fired 3-salutes. The 4th neared at shoulder and halted at which time they Reversed Arms. It is a long-standing custom to perform motions in &Quot;reverse" while approaching the grave site.
A few feet from the marker, the Kings Own halted and then performed Mourn Arms. The musket is brought to Present Arms and then Mourn Arms is called. The musket is raised high and the muzzle is lowered slowly to point straight down. Hands are wrapped on the butt with elbows held high. Next, the elbows are lowered to the side, and then the head is lowered to the musket butt.
After a moment of silence, the Serjeant for the 4th barks "King's Own," the signal to raise our heads. The musket is then deftly brought back to Present Arms, followed by Shoulder Arms. Timing for each motion is important with most moves conducted over an 8-count, which provides a well-paced, stately ceremony.
Kim Nuttall approached the Serjeant with flowers. Traditionally, soldiers are offered poppy flowers, but these are difficult to procure in New England. The King's Own settled on red carnations.
The Serjeant went to Trail, accepted the flowers, and marched to the grave marker. As if laying the musket to the ground, the Serjeant bent and left the flowers. After returning to stand, the musket was brought to soldier so it can be brought to Present again. The Serjeant held a moment of silence before returning to rank, where the ceremony was performed again by a Private.
Order of Procession
The following was the order of procession for the ceremony:
- Parade order will be Massachusetts Society Sons of the American Revolution Continental Colour Guard, Southborough Minutemen, Horne Descendants and Family Members, David Falconi - President Southborough Historical Society, other guests
- Welcome: David Falconi, President of the Southborough Historical Society
- Address by Minister from Pilgrim Church
- Prayer by Representative of Massachusetts Society Sons of the American Revolution
- SAR: Placement of flag holder and placement of SAR wreath
- Comments by Russell Horne (Robert Horne descendent), and introduction of other descendents and family members (ending with granddaughter and asking her to place the family wreath)
- Family wreath placement by Michaela Horne, 6th generation granddaughter of Robert Horne
- Flag placement into flag holder by family member
- Minutemen turn and fire three shots
- Kings Own enters, performs Reverse Arms to close and then Mourn Arms
- David Falconi closing statements
|
|
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)