While many people use Memorial Day to celebrate the unofficial start of summer with barbeques and trips to the pool, Orange American Legion Post 156 annually remembers those service men and women killed in the line of duty.
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“What a wonderful way to remember our fallen”, Jackman said of the many flowers throughout the cemetery and especially the American flags placed at each grave.
“It’s a day of remembrance of those who didn’t get back and a reminder that this country isn’t free, we have to do something to keep it the way we have it”, said LCDR Gil Shaw, USCG (Ret.).
After the service Monday morning, the Marine Corp League and Honor Guard played taps and held gun salutes at all the cemeteries in St. Joseph to honor those who served. Tammy Baldwin were on hand to honor these everyday heroes willing to take their last breath in the battlefield. The graffiti was extensive as it covered most of the lower-half of the mural and numerous 2,273 names of the soldiers taken prisoner during the Vietnam War, or who were missing in action.
Starting the Wednesday before the holiday weekend the grounds crew goes to work honoring those who have served their country. “It is a wonderful ceremony to attribute the dedication to the people that are still serving, to remember all of our blessings and all of our freedoms that come from the people who gave the ultimate price”.
“I want to give tribute to all those that I can”, said Joanne Kereston.
My Dad and I participated in the Tallahassee Honor Flight in 2013.
“It’s not much that we can ever repay them, but we can thank them and so every time you see a veteran, don’t just wait until Veteran’s Day, just thank them for their service”, says Edwards. In 1971, an act of Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday.
The ceremony is also for the families, Roth said.
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Veterans say they appreciate the gesture, not just of the young people; but of the parents determined to bring their children to such events.
