Memorial Day Service
Each year before Memorial Day the Franklin County Veterans Services Commission, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, local veterans groups and scout troops place United States flags at the graves of thousands of veterans who are interred at Green Lawn. It is estimated that over thirty thousand veterans are buried in six veterans' sections and on private lots throughout the Cemetery. Green Lawn contains two Civil War Sections (M and 28), a Spanish-American War Section (51), a World War I Section (71), a World War II and Korean War Section (104) and a section for the Viet Nam and Gulf Wars (105).
Special Memorial Day Services are held each year at Green Lawn. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, dressed in period costume, conduct a re-enactment, wreath laying and musket volley salute at the Civil War Circle on Section M. They then march to Section 28 for a similar program at the Soldiers and Sailors monument.
Green Lawn, American Legion Post #1 and the Franklin County Veterans Services Commission sponsor an annual Memorial Day Service on the Monday of Memorial Day weekend in the center of Section 104. This service includes a speaker - usually prominent Columbus citizens who have served in the military - and flag presentations and a twenty-one-gun salute.
It is very touching to see hundreds of flags waving in the spring morning. And both of these services remind us to remember and appreciate those who have given their lives in the service of our country.