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| Mr. Clifford "Cliff" Blair Hamm at a Confederate Memorial Day event wearing his Real Son medal in May, 2013. |
On Saturday, September 28th of this year, I was honored to attend a memorial service for the State of North Carolina's last Real Son of a Confederate Veteran, Mr. Clifford "Cliff" Blair Hamm (1923 - 2019).
Mr. Hamm was born on Wednesday, August 22, 1923 in Gastonia, North Carolina to Mr. John Berry Hamm Jr., a Confederate Veteran who served in Company D, 2nd NC Junior Reserves from Cleveland County (NC), and Mrs. Annie Gillespie Hamm. Mr. Hamm's grandfather, Mr. John Berry Hamm Sr., was also a Confederate Veteran who served in Company H, 4th NC Senior Reserves also from Cleveland County.
Clifford Hamm grew up during the Great Depression and joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II (1939 - 1945). He fought with the Sixth Marine Division among the victors at the Battle of Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945). After the war, he came home and married his wife, Inez Davis Hamm.
Mr. Hamm passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the home of his son, Greg Hamm. Mr. Hamm was a member of Gastonia Masonic Lodge #369 AF&AM, Marine Corps League, Gaston County Honor Guard and World War II Last Man's Club. He was past president of the South Gastonia School PTA and was a Deacon and Elder of Olney Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, where he was laid to rest in the churchyard on Saturday, August 10, 2019.
Mr. Hamm is believed to have been the last Real Son of a Confederate Veteran in North Carolina and a Life Member of the Major Charles Q. Petty Camp #872 Sons of Confederate Veterans.
His compatriots and members of the Major Petty Camp and the North Carolina Division SCV and the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor Camp #36 from Greenville, South Carolina honored Mr. Hamm at his grave site with an honor guard and a beautiful canteen ceremony.
The following are the photos I took of the event.
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| Olney Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, North Carolina. |
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| Members of the Hamm family being escorted by honor guard. |
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| Mr. Greg Hamm, proud son of Clifford Hamm and member of the Major Charles Q. Petty Camp SCV. Mr. Hamm is a Real Grandson. |
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| Commander Ronnie Smith Roach, Army of Northern Virginia, Sons of Confederate Veterans. |
The family of Clifford B. Hamm placing the United States Flag and Confederate Battle Flag at his grave with the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor.
The Canteen Ceremony preformed by the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor has a long and interesting history.
As the War Between The States wore on, the Confederate soldiers were deprived of the supplies needed to defend their
homes. Often they fought in tattered uniforms and worn-out shoes with
minimal food. The soldiers pledged to share everything they had, even down to the last
drop of life-giving water in their canteens.
The Canteen Ceremony recalls that pledge of sharing as each member of the Color Guard takes a tiny sip from the same canteen. Water from the canteen is then poured on the grave of the soldier being memorialized linking the departed soldier with those of the Color Guard, with the last soldier proclaiming: "You are not forgotten!"
The Canteen Ceremony recalls that pledge of sharing as each member of the Color Guard takes a tiny sip from the same canteen. Water from the canteen is then poured on the grave of the soldier being memorialized linking the departed soldier with those of the Color Guard, with the last soldier proclaiming: "You are not forgotten!"
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| "You are not forgotten!" |
The honor guard of Confederate reenactors fire three musket volleys and a cannon salute.
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| Mr. Bill Starnes playing "Taps". |
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| US Marine Corps Song played on bagpipes, followed by "Dixie". |
The family of Compatriot Hamm received several gifts from the North Carolina Division SCV, including one special one in particular from an unexpected source -- the White House!
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| The Confederate Marine Corps banner. |
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| Members of the 16th South Carolina Color Guard of Honor Camp #36 SCV from Greenville, South Carolina -- with Miss Jenna Stoney of Florida. |
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| The family of Clifford B. Hamm with the 16th SC Honor Guard. |
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| The family of Clifford B. Hamm with the Confederate reenactor honor guard. |
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| The grave of Real Son & World War 2 US Marine Veteran Mr. Clifford Blair "Cliff" Hamm. RIP |
I was truly honored to have attended this event paying tribute to North Carolina's last Real Son of a Confederate Veteran and World War 2 US Veteran. Thank you for your service, sir! Rest in peace, Mr. Hamm. It was an honor to know you, sir!
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| The 48 Star US Flag that Mr. Hamm served under during World War 2. |
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| United States Marine Corps Flag. |
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| Dixie Cross Battle Flag. |
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