Worn out boots and playing cards, the discarded belongings of the 77th Illinois Infantry, litter the trail leading to a Civil War winter camp tucked away in the woods of Sommer Park.

Bouquets of red poppies hung in the hands of eight Midwest Central Young Marines standing at attention atop Soldiers Hill in Springdale Cemetery as Bruce Brown, in a measured and solemn voice, recited the lyrics of a beloved American folk song.