MOUNT CARMEL - On May 5, 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11, stating "the 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in the defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land."
On May 27, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 430th "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony in honor and memory of a veteran of that war, the Civil War.
Samuel A. O'Donnell was born in York in 1844.
Drafted, he was mustered into service on Nov. 2, 1862, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, as a private with Company F., 177th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out with his company on Aug. 5, 1863, in Harrisburg.
Enlisting, he was mustered into service on Aug. 31, 1864, in Harrisburg as a private with Company G., 9th Pennsylvania Calvary. O'Donnell participated in Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea and was with his company when Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Sherman on April 26, 1865. He was mustered out with his company at Lexington, N.C., on July 18, 1865.
Following the Civil War, he resided in Shenandoah, moving to Mount Carmel in 1894. Employed most of his life in and about the mine, O'Donnell was employed as an engine hostler at the Richards Colliery at the time of his death.
Socially, he was a member of the Subordinate Nest 1064 of the Order of Owls.
O'Donnell died May 2, 1911, and is buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah. At the time of his death, he was survived by a son, two daughters, a stepson and a stepdaughter.
The flag that was flown for the past six weeks was in honor and memory of Michael Glowa, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. "Taps" was played on the bugle by Ann Ray Begis while the flag was lowered by Anthony Candelora. It was folded by James Kealy, Walter Summers and Candelora. The flag was presented to Connie Andrews by Summers.
The O'Donnell flag was escorted to the service by Peggy Summers. It was presented by Jack O'Donnell, descendant of Samuel O'Donnell, to Walter Summers. Candelora raised the flag while everyone sang "God Bless America." David Berezovske read the military records of Glowa and O'Donnell. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. Summers thanked the family and friends in attendance for their participation in the ceremony.
William Begis carried the American flag to the ceremony. The rifle escort was provided by Mary Chapman and Candelora. Kealy provided traffic control. Also participating in the ceremony were John Hirsch, Charles Noskoviak and Harry White.
The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Second and Oak streets. Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.