Civil War gravesite receives headstone
The gravesite of Pvt. David Mountain, a Civil War soldier, finally has a headstone.
The headstone was officially set over the grave of Mountain at the St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Schenectady during a July 2 ceremony. The private served his country from 1862 through 1865 as a soldier with Company I of the 16th New York Artillery.
“We must never forget the bravery of the men and women who put their lives on the line for this country — even if they served more than a century ago,” said state Assemblyman Phil Steck. “The Civil War was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and the role that David Mountain played shouldn’t be overlooked. As someone who chose to immigrate to and build a life within our nation, we owe him our utmost gratitude for his service.”
Reenactors representing the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry, the 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry, and the 3rd New York Artillery Regiment (Heavy) participated in the ceremony.
The Sons of Union Veterans and the Patriot Guard Riders also participated. The ceremony included a musket salute and Honor Guard.
David Mountain and his brother John arrived in Fort Edward in the mid-1850s after emigrating from Ireland, according to Chris Leonard, Schenectady historian.
After the Civil War broke out, the brothers enlisted in Company I of the 16th New York Artillery (Heavy). David was 39 at the time. After the war, John returned to Fort Edward, while David settled in Schenectady, where he lived the rest of his life.
Little is known about his postwar life. He was a carpenter and his son, Frank Mountain, attended Union College, then played professional baseball from 1880 to 1882. Almost nothing is known of David’s later life or how he died. For a long time, no one knew where he was buried, Leonard said.
“I was contacted last month by a member of David’s family who was able to track him to an unmarked grave in St John the Baptist Cemetery in Schenectady,” Leonard said. “I have been providing informational support to them and helping to arrange the official ceremony for Private Mountain.”
“While we may not know much about his time after the Civil War, thanks to the commendable research and commitment of David’s family we now know that he rests peacefully in St. John the Baptist Cemetery,” said Steck. “It was an honor to join them today to finally mark David’s grave and commemorate his life with the respect and dignity he deserves.”
Dad commissions son
Retired Marine Maj. Mark Mccadden of Stillwater has completed a truly special family mission: He commissioned his son Will Mccadden and led the new officer through the Oath of Commission during a ceremony at the Earl J. Manning American Legion Post 490 in Stillwater. Will was commissioned as a Marine second lieutenant.
John Mehan, post commander, presented a Marine Corps flag to Will. Will’s mother, Nancy Mccadden, and grandparents Mike and Patricia Lilac of Stillwater were among the honored guests who witnessed the ceremony.
“It’s a privilege and I am extremely proud to preside over the ceremony,” Mark Mccadden said after the commissioning.
Will Mccadden graduated from Falcon High School, Falcon, Colo., six months early so he could enlist in the Marine Corps sooner.
The San Diego native enlisted as an enlisted Marine in 2017. He just graduated from Marine Officers Candidate School. He expects to be assigned to a unit based at Quantico, Va.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Colorado, Colo.
Mark Mccadden earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1985 and retired in 2005. He had deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Kenya and Korea as a communications officer.
Help finish home
Malta Veterans Appreciation Program has put out a call for volunteers to help finish a Homes for Heroes house. Volunteers are needed to help install flooring, insulate the bottom of the renovated modular home, finish installing a water heater, install a kitchen countertop, install lighting fixtures, and finish exterior siding.
Volunteers can help during the week or over the weekend at the home at Malta Gardens Mobile Park.
The double-wide modular home is nearly ready for occupancy by an active-duty soldier or a veteran with a family, says Renee Farley, a MVAP founder and spokeswoman. The home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room.
For information, contact Farley at (518) 577-8863 or Maltavets@gmail.com. Donations can be mailed to Malta Veterans Appreciation Program, 4158A Silverbeach Road, Malta, NY 12020.
Veterans breakfast clubs
Veterans and their friends are welcome at two veterans clubs:
Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. Tuesdays at the International House of Pancakes, Plank Road, Clifton Park. For information, call Allan Atwell at (518) 3718449.
Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. Thursdays at the Schodack Diner, 1842 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton. For information, call (518) 477-5014.