Memorial Day

Atlanta Memorial Day Observance

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[May 29, 2019]  Memorial Day is a hard day. Observed the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is set aside to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military.

Memorial Day Observances happen all over America to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we may have the freedom that we enjoy each day and support family and friends of loved ones who have been left behind.

On Monday at the Atlanta Public Library, the Observance started with a band concert by the Atlanta Community Band. Many popular patriotic songs were played including America the Beautiful and God Bless America.

As the band concluded their concert, the Atlanta Scouts stepped to the front to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone rose to their feet to pay respect to the flags lining the sidewalks as they recited the Pledge.

Each flag around the library and up and down the streets represented a loved one who lost their life while in the military. A young couple teaching their children about Memorial Day commented that they got their picture taken next to Grandpa’s flag.

Adam McVey addressed the audience, “I am not a veteran.” He is not a veteran, but his father, uncle, and father-in-law are all Korean War Veteran’s, his brother-in-law is a career Marine with two sons: one in the Army, one in the Air Force, and his youngest son spent five years in the Marines.

And finally, his nephew, Sgt. Robert Griffin, Infantry United States Army, enlisted right out of high school and served three deployments in the Middle East. After coming home, being diagnosed with PTSD, and receiving treatment in Colorado, Rob ended his life on July 25, 2010.



McVey and his wife made sure that their boys never forgot their cousin. “As brothers they are bound by blood, there for each other no matter what. For our brothers and sisters in the military that bond is just as strong through military service as it is through blood.”

McVey commended veteran’s for leaving their home, their family, and their friends to face the enemies of our nation and give us the right to freedom.

The loss for the families of fallen soldiers never ends.

In closure, McVey offered a challenge for everyone to share stories of their veteran’s so that they would never be forgotten.

Abraham Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg has been remembered and repeated throughout the decades because it captures so well the sentiments of a grateful nation for its fallen soldiers. Evie Emberton read the Gettysburg address concluding, as Lincoln did, “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

 

Chaplain (Major) Carl Johnston, US Army, (Ret.) – Atlanta United Methodist Church Pastor, was the keynote speaker for the Observance. Johnston was named after his dad's brother, who was killed in WWII. “I was named after a soldier and my little patriot heart began to flutter and I wanted to know everything I could possibly know about him.” If you’re named after someone there is an expectation that you will live up to their name.

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Johnston’s mom, also, had an uncle named Carl and he was a minister.

Lesson one: “Be careful what you name your children. There could be destiny in it.”

Lesson two: “Memorial Day is difficult.” Johnston and his mom opened the cedar chest on Memorial Day to look at the purple heart and dog tags; it was too hard for his dad to remember.

Memorial Day is hard for those with no connection because they don’t have anyone who died in the defense of freedom.

Memorial Day is hard for those who know too many who have died in defense of freedom.

 

Johnston’s last duty in the Army was as a recalled retiree serving at Fort Carson in Colorado. From 2008-2011, he served as a Chaplain in the Warrior Transition Battalion. Whenever there was a death in the Warrior Transition Unit, they were all called together and told that if anyone wanted to talk to the Chaplain he would be in the back of the formation.

“One day a guy about 25 years old came over and said, ‘Well, Chaplain, I’m gonna have to go back to the tattoo parlor. On my back I’ve got a Memorial tattoo of everybody that I’ve known who has died since I’ve joined the army. This guy will be number 88.’”

Some have memories as veterans, some have dreams, and some have nightmares. Regardless, all have stories that need to be told.

Another duty Johnston had was to knock on the doors to tell the family that their loved one won’t be coming back. “No matter how many times I’ve practiced that, as many times as I have rehearsed that, it never gets easier with time.”

Memorial Day is difficult but “it is important that we tell the stories so that people know and remember what the sacrifices were and are.”

On May 3, 1865 Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train passed through Atlanta on the way to Springfield. There is an old song, This Train is Bound for Glory, and maybe when hear a train we should remember our veterans who fulfilled the teaching of Jesus, “Greater love has no man than this; to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13, NIV).” The prophet Jeremiah said, “Weep not for him who is dead, nor grieve for him, but weep bitterly for him who goes away, for he shall return no more to see his native land (Jeremiah 22:10, ESV).”
 


We should take this day to enjoy the freedoms that were paid for at such a high price. “Because of their sacrifice may we do all the good we can with all the time that we have.”

A floral tribute to Veterans of all Wars was presented by the Gresham-Crutchley Unit #341 Auxiliary: In memory of the Civil War a bow was placed on the wreath, in memory of the War with Spain a white flower was placed on the wreath, in memory of the Korean War a red flower was placed on the wreath, in memory of the Vietnam War a blue flower was placed on the wreath, in memory of Desert Storm a yellow flower was placed on the wreath, and in memory of the unknown soldier a semi-circle of flowers were placed in front of the wreath.

Men and women still in 134 countries are committed to eradicating evil in all corners of the world. “Freedom is not free.”

After an Honor Guard Salute, veterans from each branch of the military were asked to come forward to be recognized.
Helping with the service:

  • Larry Collins, Master of Ceremonies

  • Deacon Wendell Lowry, Major US Army (Ret), Atlanta Catholic Church

  • National Anthem, Deb Siltman

  • Closing Prayer, Warren Smith

  • Drummer, Tanner Smith

  • Taps, Jayme Reed

Memorial Day is hard. Country men and women have laid down their lives for freedom. These freedoms we enjoy every day: freedom to speak, freedom to assemble, freedom to worship. May we never forget.

[Lisa Ramlow]

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