C. T. Suddeth

A Salute on Memorial Day 2022

My Grandfather, Orval Perry Pait, served as an Army medic, spent his time in Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville. I thought he was lucky not to go to France, but he was a medic during the Spanish Flu. Camp Taylor was the biggest base in the country, the main base is now in the city limits of Louisville, but it also occupied what is now the Louisville airport and Fort Knox. (Mary Pait)

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James Simmons

My 5^th great grandfather, mother’s side:

Born 1758 (1742?). Enlisted January 1, 1777 at Lynches Ferry, Virginia under Captain James Franklin in the 10^th Virginia Regiment. Served three years and three days, discharged in Philadelphia. Fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Stoney Point, and Monmouth. VA service S.39071. Pension application 1818. Died in Hawkins County, Tennessee, Hickory Cove.

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Memorial Day 2022

My great-grandfather, Thomas Gillenwaters (ca. 1835-1912), came home (Fountain Run/Flippin area) in 1865 to find his father dead, his family starving, and a brother, Wesley Gillenwaters, had died in battle. Thomas served in Union Army, company C, 37^th Regiment Kentucky Mounted Infantry as did his brother. He likely was present when his brother died. Mustered in June 2, 1863 Glasgow, Kentucky, mustered out May 10, 1865 Louisville, Kentucky. His brother, James, served in the Confederate Army, Third Regiment Kentucky Cavalry.

My grandmother, Mary Matilda Gillenwater Pait, played with his pistol and saber when she was small. Then they were tossed in the trash. [the Gillenwater mansion, where he died]

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Memorial Day 2022

Sam Anderson is my great-great grandfather. Union army, 5th Kentucky Cavalry, Company E. He was mustered in April 30, 1862 Burkesville, Kentucky and mustered out May 3, 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky. His three brothers served in the same regiment: James, William, and Wilson.

Sam Anderson (1842-1909) came home with his health ruined, dying from TB. My great-grandmother, his daughter, Alcy Anderson Short, took care of him and died of TB a couple years later.

Photo is of him with another daughter, Sarah Anderson Shoopman. Other photo is of his wife, Fetna Jane Riley Anderson, who lived to be 100, my father getting to spend the summer with her.

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Memorial Day 2020

On this Memorial Day, I do remember:

A great- great, great Uncle, William Sudduth, died at Raisin River, War of 1812.

My great-great grandfather, Lucilious Pate, came home in 1865 to find his wife and family gone, his younger brother, Wesley had drowned when an army steamboat caught fire, and another brother, James, had died in battle.

My great grandfather, Thomas Gillenwaters, came home in 1865 to find his father dead, his family starving, and a brother whose name I cannot recall had died in battle.

My great-great grandparents, Andrew William and Mary Greenfield, were murdered in 1863 by guerillas near Brandenburg, Kentucky.

My great-great grandfather, Samuel Anderson, made it home in 1865, but his health and lungs were ruined. His three brothers served in the same regiment: James, William, and Wilson.

My grandmother’s cousin, Beanie (Bennie) Short died in 1865, a Confederate guerrilla, but I do not judge him.

Clarence Dean woke up in 1945 in a battlefield morgue. He died in his 90’s but would never talk about it.

James Fugit had his legs crushed in 1945. Doctors told him he would never walk again, but 6 months later, he walked out of a military hospital and lived another 60 years.

I have gone to school or worked with countless people, some of whom likely died in Vietnam or the Middle East, and they should not be forgotten even though I have lost track of them.

To all of the above and countless others who gave their lives, I salute you.

Charles Suddeth

[my uncles, the taller is Orval Pait Jr., James Fugit, WW2] [James Isaac Pate, died in battle]

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Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day, dedicated to those who lost their lives or were wounded in service for their country. This includes everyone regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, citizenship and so on. You have my gratitude and prayers. I also want to include those Native American warriors who gave their all fighting for their people.

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Memorial Day 2020

On this Memorial Day, I do remember:

A great- great, great Uncle, William Sudduth, died at Raisin River, War of 1812.

My great-great grandfather, Lucilious Pate, came home in 1865 to find his wife and family gone, his younger brother, Wesley had drowned when an army steamboat caught fire, and another brother, James, had died in battle.

My great grandfather, Thomas Gillenwaters, came home in 1865 to find his father dead, his family starving, and a brother whose name I cannot recall had died in battle. His brother, James, served in the confederate Army.

My great-great grandparents, Andrew William and Mary Greenfield, were murdered in 1863 by guerillas near Brandenburg, Kentucky.

My great-great grandfather, Samuel Anderson, made it home in 1865, but his health and lungs were ruined. His three brothers served in the same regiment: James, William, and Wilson.

My grandmother’s cousin, Beanie (Bennie) Short died in 1865, a Confederate guerrilla, but I do not judge him.

Clarence Dean woke up in 1945 in a battlefield morgue. He died in his 90’s but would never talk about it.

James Fugit had his legs crushed in 1945. Doctors told him he would never walk again, but 6 months later, he walked out of a military hospital and lived another 60 years.

I have gone to school or worked with countless people, some of whom likely died in Vietnam or the Middle East, and they should not be forgotten even though I have lost track of them.

To all of the above and countless others who gave their lives, I salute you.

Charles Suddeth

American flag flying in the wind

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Memorial Day Weekend 2019

I wish for you a sacred and holy Memorial Day. I remember those who gave all or lost so much:

A great-great-great Uncle, William Sudduth, died at the Battle of Raisin River, War of 1812.

My great-great-great grandfather, Burrell Pennington, fought in the War of 1812.

My great-great grandfather, Lucilious Pate, came home in1865 to find his wife & family gone, his younger brother, Wesley, drowned when an army steamboat caught fire, another brother, James, had died in battle.

My great-grandfather, Thomas Gillenwaters, came home in 1865 from the Union Army, his father dead, his family starving, & a brother whose name I cannot recall had died in battle.

My great-great grandparents, William & Mary Greenfield, were murdered in 1863 by guerillas near Brandenburg, Kentucky.

My great-great grandfather, Samuel Anderson, made it home it in1865 from the Union Army, but his health & lungs were ruined.

My grandmother’s cousin, Beanie (Bennie) Short died in 1865, a Confederate soldier, but I do not judge him, he is in God’s hands.

My great-uncle Sam Short, was a Doughboy in France, but returned with little to say.

My grandfather Orval Pait was also a Doughboy, served at Camp Taylor, Louisville. (his brothers Harvey & Charlie Pait also served)

Clarence Dean woke up in 1945 in a European battlefield morgue. He died in his 90’s, but would never talk about it.

James Fugit, who fought with Patton, had his legs crushed in1945 while repairing a tank. Doctors told him he would never walk, but 6 months later, he walked out of a military hospital & lived another 60 years.

I have gone to school or worked with countless people, some of whom likely died in Vietnam or the Middle East, & they should not be forgotten even though I have lost track of them.

To all of the above & countless others who gave so much, I salute you with all of my heart.

American flag flying in the wind

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Weep No More

Charles Suddeth

I weep for the countless fallen,

For those who will never rise again,

For those whose pain is beyond my knowing,

For those crippled and wounded.

I weep for their families and friends,

For all those empty chairs and years,

For all the songs never to be sung,

For all the loved ones never to be kissed.

I weep for those with aching hearts,

Whose grief will never be assuaged,

Whose sorrow will never be diminished,

Whose love will live forever.

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