May 2023 archive

Memorial Day 2023

Yesterday, in honor and remembrance of Memorial Day, we visited a couple local cemeteries. It is humbling to see the flags placed near each of the graves of those who served in our armed forces and the graves of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, traditionally marks the beginning of summer. But the true meaning of the holiday is much more than that.

Tombstone Tuesday-Rebecka Sundemacher

This is the tombstone of Rebecka A. Sundemacher, located in row 12 of Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Rebecka A.
Frau von [wife of]
J.D. Gundemacher

Area Patterson Exam Grads, 1912-1914

Last week I showed the names the Van Wert and Mercer County students who successfully passed the Patterson Exam. The Patterson Exam was given to eighth grade students to make sure they were ready to enter high school. If a student passed the exam he or she could enter the high school of their choice.

Tombstone Tuesday-John Hancock

This is an interesting tombstone inscription. It is a rebus puzzle, a word picture puzzle. The word rebus is derived from Latin phrase non verbis, sed rebus, meaning “not by words, but by things.” Can you figure it out?