When you go home, tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

Epitaph by John Maxwell Edmonds on a British War Memorial

November 11^th is set aside to honor veterans. It was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I.  On a railway car in the woods of Compiègne, France, French General Foch and other allied representatives signed an armistice, or cease fire, with representatives of Germany agreeing that later that day, at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month,1918, hostilities would cease. For many years thereafter, the date was celebrated as Armistice Day. In 1954, the name of the observance was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in order to honor the veterans of all wars, not just to mark the end of World War I.

Within the shadows of Pilgrim Church lies the Old Burial Ground where approximately 1100 of the early settlers of Southborough are interred. The site was chosen because it had been the location of earlier Nipmuc burials so was already cleared. Among those buried in the Old Burial Ground are about 100 veterans, some of whom fought during colonial conflicts with France, some who fought in the War of 1812, and about 80 of whom fought during the American Revolution. These men felt so strongly about the rights they were accustomed to as British subjects, that when those rights were threatened, they were willing to take up arms against the most powerful military in the world. And when these soldiers came home, they faced challenges not unlike veterans of later wars. At least one of them committed suicide. Another, who died after the Old Burial Ground was closed, is buried in the paupers’ section of the Rural Cemetery. He and his wife spent the last twenty years of his life in the town’s almshouse. Let us also remember the sacrifices made by the wives of those who went off to war, who were left to keep the farms going while caring for their families. Several Revolutionary War widows also spent the last years of their lives in the almshouse.

There are hundreds of additional veterans from later wars buried at the Rural Cemetery. Most importantly though, there are many veterans living among us. For some, life after military service is more difficult than for others. Serving in the military comes with sacrifices. In British Commonwealth Nations, November 11^th is called Remembrance Day. Please take some time to remember and honor, all the veterans who have given their time, and sometimes their lives, so that we can enjoy freedoms, including the freedom to worship as we choose.

Sally Watters, Deacon