Service Flag Lowered at Corinth Reformed Church As Lt. Orin Sigmon Was Memorialized, Jan. 5, 1920

Yearbook Entry from 

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From the Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 5, 1920

Service Flag Is Lowered at Corinth

The lowering of the service flag at Corinth Reformed church and the unveiling of a bronze memorial tablet to Lieut. Orin M. Sigmon, a faithful officer and member of the church choir, brought out as congregation yesterday afternoon that filled the auditorium and drank in every word uttered by the pastor, Rev. W.W. Rowe, and the young men who were his lifelong friends. Many hearts were glad that all of the young men of the church but two returned sound in mind and body—Lieutenant Sigmon being the only man to lose his life, and Lieut. John H. Geitner the only member to be wounded. Although there was unmistakably a note of sadness in the ceremony, there was also a note of rejoicing because the young man who gave up his life lived worthily and died worthily.

The service was begun with an organ prelude by Mrs. D’Anna, followed by an anthem by the choir, invocation, Hymn No. 603 by the congregation, prayer and solo, “Lower the Flag” by Mrs. J.H. Shuford, the inspiring words being written by Mrs. C.C. Bost.

As the congregation standing sang the Star Spangled Banner, the service flag was lowered by Josephine Abernethy and Frank Abernethy Jr., and handed over to Mr. Rowe, who raised the American flag. The tablet to Lieutenant Sigmon was then unveiled by these little children, niece and nephew of the hero. The inscription on the tablet, which is placed just above where he stood in the choir, reads:

IN MEMORIAM

LIEUT. ORIN M. SIGMON

1888-1918

117^TH Engrs. 42d DIV.

CITED FOR BRAVERY AT

SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE

1918

BELOVED BY ALL

AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE

HE DIED TO MAKE MEN FREE

Tributes to his life and character, his love for his church and fellow men and his devotion to duty were paid by young men who knew and loved him. Maj. Geo. L. Lyerly was the first speaker and he told how Lieutenant Sigmon volunteered for service, of how he rose rapidly and on hearing from him in France. Then in November he saw his name on the casualty list and of the sorrow it caused among his old friends. Major Lyerly spoke feelingly of the young man.

Maj. J.H. Shuford, who served in the army as a surgeon, also spoke feelingly of Lieutenant Sigmon, whom he had known since boyhood, laying particular stress on his wonderful bass voice, his unaffected modesty and his sterling character.

Major Shuford was followed by Jos. L. Murphy, who was with Lieutenant Sigmon when he was killed in France. Mr. Murphy have first hand information on his loyalty and devotion, his fine spirit and the esteem in which he was held. He commanded his company in the most crucial of all battles and won a citation for his courage.

Lieut. Laurence Cline, chairman of the Hickory post of the American Legion, which attended the service in body, told the congregation that the legion was organized to stand for those principles which carried the men across the sea to fight for liberty. He told o the growth of the local organization and stated that it now has 125 members or more and was desirous to serve.

Mr. G.H. Geitner, who was associated in business with Lieutenant Sigmon, was the last speaker, and he briefly sketched the young man’s development. This could be observed each year. He grew. He was destined to be a great power in business, and he showed those qualities in military life that made him succeed in civil life. Mr. Sigmon did his work well.

The congregation sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and benediction was pronounced by Dr. E.M. Craig.