On Saturday, 20 September, Lt. Grant Wood, memorialization officer of Co. "A", conducted a memorialization ceremony of great historical significance: the marking of the grave of "Father" David Pettegrew, who was 53 when he enlisted--in an army of 18-45 year olds--thus the title. A High Priest, he was honored to be called as a "spiritual adviser" to President Levi Hancock of the First Council of Seventy. When the Battalion was ordered down into Mexico to do battle, it was Pres. Hancock and Father Pettegrew who directed the men to pray for the Colonel to change his mind--which he did--and it was Father Pettegrew who involuntarily called out, "God bless the Colonel!" as the Battalion turned toward California. Stake president Raymond Rawson, a senator from Las Vegas, and Pettegrew's descendant, dedicated the marker. [Art interesting side light: The grave of David Pettegrew was not listed on the cemetery records. It was only fitting then that Pres. Rawson also dedicated the grave--which may have never been done before!] It seemed only right that such a dedicated man make the sacrifice of flying here to honor the man who was second in command (by Priesthood authority) in the Mormon Battalion. Pres. Rawson took home with him the necessary information on having his Scouts earn the Sesquicentennial Patch. He will share this information with another stake president in Las Vegas, Merrill Warthen, a descendant of Levi W. Hancock! (who has Tyler's book-thanks to Ltc. Baseore) Could this lead to a company in Las Vegas?!
Another thrilling experience in September: Ltc. Gaylen and Pres. Shirley Maynes continue their relationship with the DUP and County Commissioners as SEVEN more memorials occurred, this time in Parowan: Edward Dalton, Zachariah B. Decker, Samuel Gould, John Steele, and three women: Catherine Campbell Steele, Mary Steele Fish, and Jane Wells Cooper Hanks. Col. Fairbourn conducted the ceremony, at which many of our Mormon Battalion and Ladies Auxiliary members participated, along with more than a hundred relatives and well-wishers. All of these experiences of memorialization of the graves of Battalion men and women have been the most exciting events that many of us have ever enjoyed. Congratulations to all!