Mill Springs National Cemetery

Pulaski County, Kentucky

Quite by accident Ritchey and I found Mill Springs National Cemetery in Pulaski County.  We were following Highway 80 from Casey County, going towards US27 to take us to Lincoln County.  Our book of Kentucky county maps shows all cemeteries listed along the roads – whether they be dirt roads or highways – but doesn’t designate how large or small the cemeteries may be.

Alfurd Williams, Kentucky, Sergeant, Co. A, 7th Infantry, 3rd Division, World War I, October 18, 1895 – October 29, 1964.  Purple Heart.  Most gravestones are of this similar size and shape.

Leotis G. Weddle, Corporal, Company G, 2nd Regiment Infantry, Spanish American War, October 7, 1879 – November 1, 1955.

Michael Zachery, Private, Civil War, Kentucky Cavalry, January 22, 1862.  The Battle of Mill Springs, in which General Felix Zollicoffer was killed, was fought January 19, 1862.  Private Zachery must have been wounded during the battle and died two days later.

Ira B. Moore, Sergeant, US Army, World War II, November 8, 1916 – September 24, 1990.  North Africa, Sicily, Italy campaigns.  Reading this stone made me tear up – my uncle, Joseph Robert Montgomery, was killed in Sicily during WWII, and is buried there.

Dermont G. Webb, Cook Ho. Co., 107th F. A., December 17, 1894 – January 24, 1923.  A few gravestones had pictures of the fallen loved ones.

John W. Gover, Private, Co. L., 163rd Infantry, born December 28, 1894, died October 9, 1918.

And this gentleman in his uniform:

Fayette Mingey, Corporal, Company A, 136th Infantry, born February 1, 1897, died October 12, 1918.

There are a few larger stones in the cemetery.  2nd Lieutenant Achilles G. Weddle, 164th D. B., 1892-1926.

If you’ve never been to a national cemetery you should take time to go.  You stand and look at rows and rows of small white stones.  And each one of those stones represent a life that was given to protect our country.  Not all died in battle, many made it home to their loved ones, but all were willing to give their life to fight for our freedom, and that makes all the difference

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