Nearly 131 years ago, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was erected in Fairview Cemetery in Montgomery.

The monument was built by the Montgomery Col. D.A. Montgomery Post No. 264, Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Civil War veterans who fought for the North. Nearly three hundred local men fought in the Civil War. A small percentage joined the Southern forces (“Around Montgomery” by Joan Wheal-Blank).

According to Montgomery Area Historical Society records, Fairview Cemetery was established on July 5, 1890. Sitting on a large plot of land, it overlooks Montgomery Borough and the Susquehanna River. The cemetery was so new at that time, an early photo of the monument shows only a few rows of headstones.

The towering memorial included a large cannon in front of it. Originally it was built to honor the local men who had fought in the Civil War. The inscription on the monument reads, “Erected by Col. D. A. Montgomery Post. No. 264 G.A.R. 1861-65”.

While the unveiling ceremony was planned for October of 1892, the monument arrived in Montgomery in the middle of September and was placed at that time. It was described as “the handsomest soldiers monument erected in this part of the State.” Further details stated, “The monument is 21 feet in height and contains ten tons of Georgia marble . . . A cannon ball of polished marble, weighing 300 pounds surmounts the shaft. The monument is graceful in outline and of stunning proportions” (Muncy Luminary and County Advertiser, September 16, 1892).

A grand ceremony to dedicate the monument was planned for Saturday, October 9, 1892. Governor Robert E. Pattison was supposed to attend the ceremony, but was unable. Around noon, a heavy rain began to fall and the plans had to be altered. The parade was cancelled, and the ceremony that was to be held in the cemetery was held indoors. Many notable people attended and took part in the ceremony. Once the speeches were through, the bad weather subsided and a short ceremony was held in the cemetery (Daily Gazette and Bulletin, October 10, 1892).

While the rain may have caused some of the plans to change, it couldn’t dampen the pride and patriotism of the day.

“Never before in the history of the staid old borough of Montgomery has such a large crowd gathered within its borders, as that which assembled on Saturday to witness the impressive ceremonies attending the unveiling of the Soldiers Monument. The good, loyal citizens of the borough had made grand preparations for the important event, and as a result the streets were handsomely decorated with flags and bunting, beautiful arches of laurel bearing appropriate mottoes [sic] were located across the main streets which greatly enhanced the general appearance of the town” (Muncy Luminary and County Advertiser, October 14, 1892).

Over the years, the monument has been added to, honoring those who fought in later wars. After World War II ended, Montgomery’s Keep ‘Em Flying Club had two bronze plaques made and added to the monument. One listed the local men who were killed while serving in the Spanish-American War and World War I, and the second plaque listed the names of the men killed in World War II (The Muncy Luminary, December 18, 2017).

The names of the men who died serving in the Spanish-American War were: Ernest Schrey, James C. Fowler, and Simon P. Felix.

The men who died in World War I were: Freeman W. Bower, Russell L. Shoemaker, Charles K. Mull, Judson Strong, Lloyd L. Manley, and Raymond O. Bartlett.

The names on the plaque of the Montgomery-area men who died in World War II are: Aaron N. Decker, Delmar A. Decker, Paul E. Shireman, Eugene C. Betts, Dunning K. Tupper, Fred Kennedy, Maurice E. Felix, Harry W. Fox, Elwood A. Bennett, Raynier Wertz, R. Allen Gruver, Schuyler A. Fry, Earl Larue Smith, and Howard M. Kahler.

The Montgomery VFW Post #743 added a flagpole to the monument. It included a small plaque, dedicating it to the memory of all veterans. The date of the dedication is listed as May 29, 2006.

The monument allows Americans to reflect upon the noble sacrifices made by those who have risked everything to preserve the United States, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice.