After attending the Halloween At The Glenwood a few years ago, I have wanted to also check out a similar event, the Fort Douglas Cemetery Tour. I finally had the date open, and attended it last Saturday.
At the Fort Douglas Cemetery Tour, those buried there “come alive” one day a year to have their stories heard. Actors and actresses stand by the graves of a few people buried at the Fort Douglas Cemetery, and tell you their tragic tales and life stories.
While some of the actors and actresses had an actual person they were there in behalf of, others portrayed a certain group of people and told about what life would have been like for a World War II soldier or other groups.
I was amazed to hear that civilians were also buried at Fort Douglas. I previously thought that it was a military only cemetery. Some of those buried there were family members of military, or those that worked there, such as Anna Forbes, a laundress at Fort Douglas.
To attend this event next year, stay tuned to the Fort Douglas Military Museum Facebook page. You can also watch their website.
While you are waiting for them to come alive to tell their stories again next year, visit the Fort Douglas Military Museum and learn more about what life was like at Fort Douglas.
About the Fort Douglas Cemetery:
The Fort Douglas Cemetery was established in December 1862 under the direction of the commanding officer, Colonel Patrick Edward Connor. On 25 February 1863 the first funeral services were held for those soldiers who fell during the battle of Bear River. James Duane Doty, Utah Territorial Governor 1863 – 1865 was buried on 15 June 1865. General Connor, first commander of Fort Douglas, was laid to rest on 21 December 1891.
Those officers and men who have died in the service of their country have chosen this sacred and hallowed ground as their final resting place. They represent Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict. Also interred are 21 German Prisoners of War from World War I, and 20 German, 12 Italian and 1 Japanese Prisoner of War from World War II.
The soldier is required to practice the greatest act of religious training – sacrifice. He must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. We must remember, only the dead have seen the end of war.
Taken from a sing at the entrance to the Fort Douglas Cemetery -Dedicated May 1966
Thank you!
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