When legislation was passed the renovate the Lee Mansion and return it to its appearance just before the Civil War, the remarkable memory of James Parks, a former slave, born on the plantation who had remained after emancipation to dig many of the early graves in the new national cemetery, helped identify the use of many rooms in the house and many outbuilding that had been on the grounds.
The Lee Mansion circa 1900
When Parks died in 1929, his last wish was to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery and his many friends in the Department of Defense helped him receive a special dispensation from the president.
James Park
Shortly after his burial, the local Veterans of Foreign War post placed a special marker over his grave to ensure his legacy would not be forgotten.
Parks' marker from the VFW - not the most PC message today but it was a touching gesture at the time
Parks died less than two months before the start of the Great Depression, which, by 1932, had no end in sight. WWI veterans returning from Europe after the 1918 armistice received bonus vouchers to be paid (to those still alive) in 1945. That money was desperately needed now so 20,000 veterans and their families descended on Washington DC to demand payment.
The House of Representatives passed a bonus bill but it was defeated in the Senate and politicians in Washington figured the Bonus Army would accept defeat and return home. When they did not, the police tried unsuccessfully to disperse the crowd.
The clash began peacefully but eventually, bricks were thrown and shots rang out. Two veterans, William Hushka, a 35-year-old Latvian immigrant living in Chicago, and 38-year-old Eric Carlson from Oakland were killed and buried at Arlington National Cemetery shortly thereafter.
William Hushka (I was unable to find a picture of Eric Carlson)
Hushka is buried in Section 18, Grave 2262
Carlson is buried in Section 18, Grave 5217
After the police failed to disperse the crowd, President Hoover authorized the Army to move in. Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur personally lead the force of 200 cavalry troopers commanded by Major George Patton), 400 from Ft Myer into Washington DC, and five tanks (!) into Washington where they used tear gas to force the Bonus Army back to their Hooverville in Anacostia.
Ignoring orders to the contrary, MacArthur entered the Bonus Army encampment, gave the veterans and their families 20 minutes to evacuate, and burned it to the ground.
Government officials praised MacArthur's handling of the situation but when the general public learned what had happened, the outcry was quick and fierce. Less than four months later, Hoover was soundly defeated at the ballot box by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Three days after Hoover's defeat, the permanent sarcophagus promised for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 10 years earlier was finally dedicated but the local VFW disrupted the ceremony to protest the Hoover administration's attack against the Bonus Army.
The new sarcophagus was installed in early 1931 and carved in place in time for the November 11, 1931 dedication ceremony
A simple epitaph was also inscribed: Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God
No comments:
Post a Comment