In The News – Memorial Day Service 2017
Honoring our fallen heroes, past and present
Jerri Goodman May 26, 2017
“From the earliest days of America’s founding, our 
great nation has been blessed with generation after generation of patriots willing to lay down their lives in defense of our freedom. We are truly fortunate to live in a country worth fighting for … to be afforded a way of life worth dying for.”
With those words, Col. (R) John Garity reminded the community of the sacrifices made by its fallen soldiers during Monday’s Memorial Day service in the downtown park. Over 100 were in attendance.
As he addressed the audience, Garity said, “On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen, but we must also embrace the feeling of honor, patriotism and pride.
“Millions of men and women have selflessly answered the call of nations in need. Throughout our history, they’ve fought for a myriad of reasons: to mend America’s wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the world from tyranny, oppression, cruelty and evil.
“Today, we pay tribute to those heroic patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice, who
bravely rose up and fought for something greater than themselves, protecting a home to which they never returned. We honor their service, mourn their loss and remember the
families they left behind.
“In the quiet stillness of this hallowed day, we must remember that nowhere in the annals of history has there been a country before ours that has given so much to afford freedom for others. The sacred ground at Arlington and our cemeteries in France, Belgium, Hawaii and the Philippines remain a somber testament to the steep price of achieving and
maintaining freedom around the globe.
“With heavy hearts, we recall those lost. They had names … they had families … they were our brothers and sisters, moms, dads and children. It is their ultimate sacrifice that has
paid for the freedoms we enjoy today.
“In order to repay our debt, we must remain dedicated to honoring the legacy of our
nation’s fallen by educating all who believe Memorial Day is just another holiday and by
passing our knowledge along to the next generation so they may do the same.
“We must ensure the youth of tomorrow understand the true cost of freedom. There is no greater way to honor the memory of those who have secured it.”
The program began with a welcome by VFW member Glenn Deal and the National
Anthem, performed by MHS junior Allison Chassereau.
Bo Fulginiti, pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church, gave the invocation before VFW
member Patrick O’Conner read the Roll Call of Combat Dead and Roll Call of local
veterans who have died since Memorial Day 2016.
Garity then led an Honor Guard of veterans in attendance for the traditional placing of the wreath on the Courthouse Monument.
Families of veterans who died in the last year were presented a red rose. Those
remembered included Herman Lee Sr.; John Conley; Gary Durden; Earl Sikes; Larry
Braswell; Bobby Lott;
Robert Dekle; Edwin Miller; Lloyd Motes; Ellie Hackle; Robert Porter; William ‘Bill’
Williams;
Sam E. Jacobs; G. W. Durden; Harold Ray Lanier; Dan Parrish; John Nelson Ill;
Marion Rutledge; Walter L. Braddy; Donald W. See; Harold Miles; Huey M. Napier; James R.Clark; Earnest McCollum; Robert Charles Thomas; Jerry Lee Collins; Virgil Ray Bowen.
