More than 150 years has passed since the final shot was fired in the American Civil War, but two veterans laid to rest in Riley county are about to receive some honors for their service to the Union in the Great American Conflict.
At 9:30 a.m. on June 18, Conrad Smith will be posthumously receiving the congressional Medal of Honor at a ceremony at St. Patrick cemetery in Ogden.
According to Marie McConnell, chairwoman of the Manhattan chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Smith was battling on the front lines in Alabama when he rescued his commander and lost his arm in the process.
Later that morning at 11 o’clock, John Callahan will be honored at Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan. Callahan’s bravery is less clear, and McConnell says his records just indicate he “stole a Confederate flag.” Callahan passed away in the 1940s and was buried without a marker until a Fort Riley soldier found his resting place in 2001. McConnell says some of Callahan’s ancestors will be in attendance.
In the event of inclimate weather, the ceremonies will be held at the Ogden Community Center for Smith, and St. Luke’s in Manhattan for Callahan.
