The memorial service held in Lebanon in August for departed Confederate soldiers was a sad reminder that death has stalked and felled almost the last man of that mighty force of seventy years ago.

Yes, it was a sad gathering. When the service opened with "anthems to swell the note of praise" there sat a lone survivor to listen to the words of love and eulogy as they fell from the lips of the renowned and beloved pastor, the Rev. E. N. Woodward.

The one old veteran present was uncle Bryant Franciscoe, who is turning into his 97th years - one of the last of the thousands whose young hearts throbbed with patriotism and love of country more than seventy years ago - the south's darkest days. With body a little shaky and eyes dimmed with the weight of many years since those old days and with but few years ahead of him, love for the land and home that he fought for and offered his life, has not waned.

The next reunion, and there will be another, is a year off, and let us hope that all the soldiers seats will not be vacant.

And now may we remind the remaining few old veterans that there is another Land worth fighting for - A Land of unspeakable joy "which He hath promised to them that love Him."