More than 100 people braved the unpredictable weather this Memorial Day to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom.
At the annual event held within the Veterans Memorial of Macon County, locals interrupted cook-outs and family gatherings to take on this solemn memorial service. Many already decorated the local graves of veterans.
Geraldine Ronan welcomed the veterans, active duty members, and Gold Star families. “We recognize the heavy burden you carry and we are privileged to stand along side you in paying tribute to your loved ones today.”
Events like this are no where near “full repayment” for their service, said Ronan. “Let us carry the values of our fallen heroes in our hearts and commitment to building resilient, caring communities that do not forget their past.”
Members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 208 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 994 manned the color and honor guards, while Michael Carpenter, a Marine who served nine years deploying to the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Somalia before retiring as a captain. Though his parents are Franklin residents, he travelled from Myrtle Beach to speak to the crowd.
He opened with the prayer President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation with just before the invasion of Normandy in World War II, “Almighty God, our sons, the pride of our nation, this day set upon almighty endeavor. They fight, not for the lust of conquest. they fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate.”
Those words, he said, united an anxious nation as millions gathered around their radios to hear it while praying for their sons, brothers, fathers and husbands. “Memorial Day is not about politics, division or ideology. It’s about sacrifice, remembrance. It’s about Americans who gave everything so that we could be free.”
All those who died for our nation would never become husbands, fathers, grandfathers, business owners, coaches teachers. “Ordinary Americans gave up extraordinary futures,” he said. “They gave up their birthdays, Christmas morning, holding their children for the first time, and growing old with the people they love.”
The story of sacrifice continues to this day, he said. And all those heroes across the years didn’t lose their lives in service of the country, they gave their lives for freedom in America.
Locals pause to honor
In addition to volunteers from 828 Vets, notables in the crowd include Leigh Tabor of the Macon Veterans Services Office, and county commissioner and Vietnam veteran Gary Shields attended.
Dylan Castle, a local pastor and candidate for county commissioner, also attended with his growing family.
“We count it a privilege and duty to honor the families that lost a loved one as well as honoring service members that live with the loss of their friends and comrades,” said Castle, who comes from a long line of Air Force veterans. “As long as their names are spoken, their stories are told, their sacrifice is honored, they can never be forgotten. It is a simple yet important responsibility that all Americans should participate in.”
Anna Rose Warman, a member of the Future Farmers of America, gave moving renditions of the national anthem and Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American”.
All across the crowd, the fashion of the day was red, white and blue, American flags and caps designating military ships and units. All six services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Space Force) were represented. Even the Navy’s Seabees made an appearance.
The message that was loud and clear to all the current, past and late veterans and their families? Thank you for your service, and the sacrifices you made for this great nation.
