Memorial Day in Marietta

Finding and viewing the notable monuments in Marietta takes curiosity, determination, and some physical stamina to walk the hills. Plus, you'll need to do some prior research to learn the stories behind the monuments and headstones.

With Memorial Day approaching, we've made several recent visits to Marietta National Cemetery. For a comprehensive list of monuments, gravesites and the stories behind them, visit OurTravelCafe.com .

If you're visiting the cemetery for Memorial Day, following is a few of the monuments you'll see as you enter from the main gate.

First is the Pearl Harbor Memorial, located between the entrance arch and cemetery office building. Dedicated by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association on Dec. 7, 1996, the monument honors “those who died and those who survived the Japanese attack.”

Next, on a hillside to the left, is the 20th Army Corps Monument. This ten foot tall by two foot square obelisk located in Section B, was erected in May 1870.

At the top of the hill, on the base of the flagpole is the Gold Star Mother's Monument. The Atlanta chapter donated and erected this two-foot-tall marble monument in 1960.

Steps ahead to the left of the flagpole, a cenotaph headstone honors Medal of Honor recipient and Georgia native Marine Corporal Lee Hugh Phillips. Killed in action, his remains were never recovered.

Next, walk straight ahead through the Greek temple-stye Rostrum to find the Wisconsin Monument. This 12-foot tall obelisk is made of Wisconsin granite, and topped by the likeness of a badger.

We have more information about each of these memorials at our blog, OurTravelCafe.com

Notable Burial Sites

Among the notable burial sites, we found these stories of heroism, accomplishment and notoriety:

• Governor John Clark, 1766–1832, Revolutionary War soldier and former Georgia governor, buried in Section D.
• Emma Stephenson, died 1864, a freed slave and Civil War US Army nurse buried in Section F.
• W. A. Cunningham,1886-1968, Army general, University of Georgia head football and two-time UGA basketball coach, buried Section Q.
• Frank Simmons Leavitt, 1891–1953, aka, Man Mountain Dean, professional wrestler and movie star with a secret past as a classified hand-to-hand combat trainer of US spies during WWII, buried in Section J.
• W. Alex Phelps, 1939-1986, an Army Special Forces officer and one of the most highly decorated veterans of the Vietnam era, buried in Section A.

You'll find more details about the lives and achievements of these heroes and others at our blog site, OurTravelCafe.com