Memorial Day with Air Force Veteran William Kindred as guest speaker observed in Atlanta

[May 30, 2017]  ATLANTA - This Monday marked the passing of Memorial Day for 2017. The day of remembrance was marked in Atlanta with a Veteran’s Memorial Ceremony and Atlanta Band Concert on the lawn of the Atlanta Public Library.

This year's guest speaker was William Kindred, a 1967 Atlanta High School graduate who served in the Air Force.

Before Kindred spoke to those present, Warren Smith and Connie Harris thanked Emily Hartzel for directing the band. They also recognized Jeff Kindred, a former member of the community band who passed away in April. Smith and Harris both noted Kindred for his work ethic, musical talent, sense of humor and strong faith.

Local boys in the Cub Scouts led everyone present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

“It’s fitting that we spend this time remembering and honoring our veterans, for we owe them a great debt,” said Bill Thomas after the pledge. Thomas introduced Dennis Smith, who led everyone in an opening prayer.

Following the prayer, Gracie Small recited Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

William Kindred then gave a speech to the crowd. Kindred spoke of his training in the Air Force following high school. Kindred trained in navigation and in air combat in the Air Force.

Kindred focused on Memorial Day memories in his speech. “What are your Memorial Day memories?” asked Kindred multiple times during his speech.

He recalled a visit to a national cemetery during his training, and how we was touched at the memorials he saw, including many who were never given a burial service due to a lack of a found body. “It was very emotional that those 5,000 folks who didn’t really have a proper burial were remembered in that cemetery,” said Kindred.

Kindred also spoke on the history of flight capability in the United States military and how it evolved over time. He referred to several battles during the World Wars and what military aircraft was used for during the twentieth century.

“The one thing that’s stayed the same from 1910 to today is the people executing missions,” said Kindred. “Those folks do those missions as assigned. All they ask is that they are remembered,” he said.

Following Kindred’s speech, members of the Atlanta American Legion Gresham-Crutchley Post #341 auxiliary presented a floral tribute to veterans of all wars from the Revolution to contemporary conflicts in the Middle East and read a poem entitled "Freedom is not Free.”

Thomas invited veterans in the crowd to step forward and be recognized on the steps of the library. The recognition was followed by the National Anthem and a closing prayer.

Following the closing prayer was a rendition of Taps by the band and a gun salute.

The Flying Feet Cloggers from Audra’s Dance Studio also performed in the street in front of the library.

All children were invited to take a fire truck ride to the Atlanta Cemetery to honor veterans by placing flowers on their graves. Starting at 11:30, lunch was served across the street from the library, with Rob Polen grilling pork chop and ribeye sandwiches.

[Derek Hurley]