Memorial Day

Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Dan Benedict reminds Atlanta of the personal sacrifices made by U.S. Armed Forces

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[May 31, 2018]  Monday, May 28, Atlanta held their annual Memorial Day Service and Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.



The service began with the Atlanta Band playing several patriotic songs followed by welcoming remarks reminding everyone of the sacrifices made by many soldiers protecting our freedoms.



Maurice “Skeet” Stribling then offered an opening prayer remembering the “great sacrifices” of those who gave of themselves for this country because they believed that mankind should not be oppressed, believed evil should not triumph, and believed in freedom. He asked a blessing on the family and friends of those who sacrificed, praying they would have peace and comfort in their grief.



Shelly Brooks talked about the registration for veterans at the cemetery since burial records for the cemetery were computerized a few years ago and decided they want a complete list of their veterans. Brooks said three years ago, there were 234 veterans recognized as buried at the Atlanta Cemetery and now there are 350 veterans recognized as being buried there. She had a list of veterans and asked families to help update any records.



Vegeta Tanner provided the traditional reading of the Gettysburg Address to mark the solemn occasion.



The Keynote address was given by former Atlanta resident and veteran Dan Benedict, who now directs the Logan County Veteran’s Assistance Commission. Senior Master Sergeant Benedict joined the Air Force in 1990 and retired in August 2013. He began his as an Electronic Intelligence Analyst Journeyman and worked various levels of operations during his career.

Benedict’s career highlights include keeping the Space Shuttle Atlantis from colliding with a satellite upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere and devising a successful rescue of a downed F-17 Stealth fighter pilot. He was also involved in the development of a Special Operations Contingency Plan for the crew of a downed ET3 in China and worked with Navy Seals near the Iraqi border locating Iraqi GPS Jammers and targeting them for destruction at the start of the war.

Benedict won several medals during his service including a Meritorious Service Award Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Benedict said when he was in eighth grade, the “seed” for his future Air Force career was planted when he heard about commercial airline pilots, the money they made, and the travel they got to do around the world. He got to thinking about how he could fly an airplane and joined the Air Force at age 17.

Benedict said, “I feel humbled and a little bit nervous” because of those not at the service who died so “I can stand here today” and speak.

Benedict said, “My words will never be adequate enough to honor these heroes, these veterans” in the way they truly deserve. He said today is about honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and many others who died protecting and fighting for the United States of America will miss many events such as their children’s birthdays, weddings and graduations.

Benedict said the only testimony these people will give is in silence through their gravestones and plaques. Today is the day of national mourning where we need to remember the fallen and honor those who gave their best and gave their lives for our freedom.

Benedict reminded everyone that this day is about so much more than barbeques and sales. All that matters is, we are free to do all those things. He said today we remember the fallen and we set this day aside every May because their ultimate sacrifice holds no meaning without remembrance.

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Benedict said 1.6 million Americans did not sacrifice their lives for cookouts and sales, [but instead] sacrificed their futures, so we may have futures that are free.

Benedict said in this country, we have the right to speak our minds publicly without worrying that we may not be thrown in prison or killed for our words.

Benedict said in this country, we are free to worship or not worship as we please, unlike many countries he has been in where people risk being kicked and beaten by a religious police force just for missing prayers.

Benedict said we remember our heroes today. We have so many “inalienable rights,” which are guaranteed by our Constitution and cannot be surrendered, and the military protects these rights as it has since 1776. He said when freedom has been threatened by enemies, and when deterrence by our military was not enough, our country waged war in response, battling on the land, on the sea, and in the air.

Benedict said our freedom has been protected by people who were drafted and volunteers who are equal on the battlefield, for death does not discriminate.

Benedict said many in the military had hopes and dreams and aspirations to do something. These brave men and women are exactly like us, but they answered the nation’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice for that which we take for granted. They sacrificed all their tomorrows so that we may have our today and sacrificed themselves for our freedoms.

Benedict said if we fail to take one tiny moment out of the 365 days of the year, then their sacrifice was meaningless. He said it is hard for those left behind when soldiers die protecting our freedoms, for these deaths leave behind a hole in the hearts that can never be filled and a rip in the fabric of their loved ones’ lives that can never be mended. Their only solace is to know their loved one defending a life that is worth fighting for.

He said these veterans swore an oath to serve without reservation or hesitation.

Benedict said we put flags on veteran’s graves and lower flags to half-staff from sunrise until noon to remember the fallen, then promptly at noon, the flag is raised to full staff to show America still stands and freedom still reigns over our land.

In his closing remarks, Benedict said, “our freedom is not without a price. The price was paid and born on the shoulders of vets who died for us. Today is our day to remember them.”




Following the keynote address, women of the Graham-Crutchley Unit #341 Auxiliary provided a floral tribute to those who fought in all the nation’s wars starting with the Revolutionary War. Flowers of various colors were placed on a wreath as a tribute to those fighting in each of the wars was read.



A quartet then led everyone in the National Anthem followed by a closing prayer by Stribling. He prayed God would impress on everyone the need to stand for values of freedom and compassion, strength and loyalty, and remember sacrifices.




The program closed with men of the Auxiliary Honor Guard offering a salute followed by “Taps,” then bagpipe music provided by Tom Ogilvy.

Other events of the day in Atlanta included a luncheon at the firehouse and the fire department taking children out to the Atlanta Cemetery to place flowers on graves in a ceremony of remembrance.

[Angela Reiners]

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