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Over 300 flags with the names of local service
members embroidered on them lined the streets of town for the day.
The day’s events began with a concert by the community band playing
patriotic songs.
Cathy Maciariello welcomed everyone in attendance thanking the band
for their music and recognizing those who put the event together.
She said Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the scourge of
war and its bitter aftermath of sorrow.
In 1950, congress said Memorial Day should be set aside as a day for
permanent peace. Maciariello said this day pays homage to those who
have died in service to our country in hopes that one day war might
end, and peace may come.
While Maciariello said this year has been hard for so many, she said
our sacrifices pale when compared to those who lost their lives
fighting for our country.
Cub Scout Troop 4128 then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Atlanta Mayor Adam McVey said the past year has been a year of
challenge and sacrifice for many. However, McVey said the sacrifice
pales in comparison to what those veterans did in giving their lives
in service of our country.
On Memorial Day, many have cookouts or go to the lake. McVey said
those are great activities but said we should ensure the next
generation understands the significance of the day and the values it
entails with those who gave their lives for the country.
As McVey thanked those who put up all the flags, he encouraged more
to get involved in the community. McVey said small towns need
volunteers to put celebrations together. He asked that we encourage
young people to get involved and help ensure these events continue.
The veterans deserve it.
Before an opening prayer, Maciariello said we need to remember those
who served to protect our country and said she longs for the day
when war is no more. Maciariello asked everyone to pause and
remember those who sacrificed their lives.
Maciariello asked God to still our hearts, break them open with joy
and love and quiet our hearts with memories of those we love and
miss. She prayed everyone would be inspired to recognize those still
with us who bring the banner of truth, justice, mercy and love by
service to our country.
As part of a tradition, local youth Evie Emberton read the
Gettysburg Address.
The keynote address was given by Colonel Shawn Green, son of Harold
and Georgia Green of Atlanta. He was deployed to Southern Iraq twice
in the early 90s in support of Operation Southern Watch. Colonel
Green is currently assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard,
183rd Wing in Springfield.
As commander of the Mission Support Group, Green commands 373 airmen
and officers across six organizations. He is responsible for
providing fully trained airmen to respond to state and national
contingencies supporting security, engineering, communications,
supplies, equipment, food, lodging, and care of personnel.
Green said he was honored to be speaking on such an important
occasion. Today is to honor American military members who laid down
their lives in service to their country. Green said these brave men
and women from all walks of life share several fundamental
qualities. These qualities include courage, pride, determination,
selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity. They are all
qualities needed to serve a cause larger than oneself.
Any day is a good to thank a veteran for their service, but Green
said Memorial Day is special one reserved for those veterans who
cannot be with us.
Today people gather at cemeteries, monuments and parks and march in
parades all over the country. Green said we do those things to honor
the loyalty and bravery of our fallen.
In honoring those people, Green said they are ordinary people who by
virtue of their service and sacrifice have become extraordinary.
Millions of Americans have fought and died on battlefields here and
abroad as they defended our freedoms and way of life. Service
members today follow in the footsteps of generations of fine
Americans.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. Green said it
arose from the ashes of the Civil War, which had so many casualties.
The Civil War changed America’s view of war forever and families
began to honor their dead. The day has been marked since May 5,
1866, and Congress officially recognized it as a holiday by 1887.
Many medals have been awarded and monuments and buildings named in
honor of those in service, but Green said nothing can ever replace
the hole left by a service member. When people join the service,
their families know they may sacrifice their lives. Green said many
families do their duty each day to ensure their loved one’s
sacrifice is remembered.
Families carry on understanding their soldier, sailor, airman or
marine chose the life of service to others and the potential they
could die for the sake of freedom. Green said today we also honor
the families of those lost for they bear a burden few can
comprehend. He is grateful to the families for giving their service
member to carry out the mission of protecting the rest of us.
For many, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and get
togethers with family and friends. Green said the Covid-19 pandemic
and lockdown helped us appreciate the memories and emotions of this
weekend even more.
As millions of Americans look forward to the summer ahead, Green
said it is perhaps ironic this weekend is anchored by a day intended
to remember the past. As restrictions begin to lessen, Green said he
hopes to stand once again in decorated cemeteries remembering our
fallen service members.
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It is important to do all we can. Green said we must
remember the importance of Memorial Day and the sacrifices. He
thanked everyone for attending the event and pausing for a moment to
remember and reflect.
At the end of World War I, President Calvin Coolidge said a nation
which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. Green said we
must not forget the blood that has been paid to get us where we are.
Memorial Day marks the beginning of a summer that Green said could
be a turning point in our history. He then said not to forget is so
much more than barbeques and picnics. Instead, we must remember it
is a day of sacrifice that paved the way for the freedoms we hold
dear and the future we have together as a nation. As Green closed
his address, he thanked the community for inviting him to be part of
the ceremony. He also asked that God bless our nation through these
challenging times.
Connie Wertheim of the Gresham-Crutchley Auxiliary Unit 341 provided
a floral tribute for those who fought and died in various wars as
she read poems about the wars. The flower covered wreath represented
the Revolutionary War and a red, white, and blue bow represented the
War of 1812.
Other wars were represented by different colored flowers with a
yellow rose for the Spanish American War and poppies for World War I
and II. The Korean War was represented by a blue rose and the
Vietnam War by a red rose. Operation Desert Storm was represented by
poppies that surrounded the ground around the wreath.
Before the recognition of veterans, Deb Siltman sang the National
Anthem, inviting the crowd to join her.
Maciariello then recognized veterans in attendance. She asked those
who served in wars or in any branch of the military during various
decades to stand. There were over a dozen veterans in attendance.
Maciariello said she was struck by how many times we have had to go
to war to protect freedoms.
The mental health of veterans is a big issue. Maciariello said we
need to support their needs. We need to honor veterans and do more
than just say thank you.
After an Honor Guard salute by American Legion Post 341 and taps
being played, Warren Smith of Atlanta Christian Church led the
benediction.
Beginning with a time of silence, Smith asked everyone to remember
the sacrifices of those fallen. He then prayed for sons, daughters,
friends, neighbors and community members who courageously laid down
their lives for the cause of freedom. Smith prayed that we would
remember our freedoms to assemble, speak, and worship were blood
bought.
As Smith prayed, he quoted John 15:13, which says, “greater love has
no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Smith
asked God to honor the sacrifice of the fallen men and women and
that their sacrifices would inspire the selfless love of God’s son.
He closed by asking God to bless the families of our fallen troops
and fill their homes and lives with strength and peace.
[Angela Reiners]
Attendees at the
service
Flags in Atlanta
Lists of names of those from the area who served
Three generations of service
Recognition of veterans in attendance
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