All gave some. Some gave all. Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who “gave all”. Thank you to all in our community who came out on Monday, May 29th, to help Curtis A Smith Post 1033 and Auxiliary pay honor to all our local fallen heroes on Memorial Day.
Rain forced a change of venue for this annual commemorative service to the Farmers Market shelter, but it did not dampen the spirits of the large crowd who turned out to support our veterans. Twenty young men and staff members from Boys Home were on hand to help us honor these veterans and pay tribute to one of their own, Michael Folland. Folland was a Purple Heart recipient who was killed during the Vietnam War and whose Road of Honor banner can be found on the Rosedale Bridge.
Commander, Shawn Wright, opened the ceremony with these words: “As long as two comrades survive, so long will the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliary render tribute to our heroic dead.” Bill Atherholt, Post Chaplain, opened in prayer followed by Mulu Slawta and Boys Homes leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
In recognizing the importance of the day and the meaning of the ceremony, Atherholt paid tribute to the following area veterans who “gave all”:
Middle East Deceased:
LT Joshua Hurley, US Army
SGT Shawn Michael Dunkin, US Army
SSGT John Ryan Howard, USMC
Vietnam Deceased from Covington/Clifton Forge:
PVT 1C Nelson Talmadge Nicely, US Army
Staff Sgt Fred E Barnett, USAF
SA William H Harrison III< USN
Spec Ralph W Broughman, US Army
GM Thomas Craighead Jr, USN
1st LT Gary E Miller, US Army- Medal of Honor
PFC Gary A Burks, USMC
Spec Roy D Humprey, US Army
PFC Delmas C Watson, US Army
SGT Charles Thomas Cooke, US Army
PFC Michael L Jenkins, USMC
Michael F. Folland, US Army – Medal of Honor
WWII Deceased:
1st LT James Monteith, US Army – Medal of Honor
Commander Wright closed with these remarks: “As we leave here today, let us recommit ourselves to keeping the memory of our fallen alive. Let us ensure our youth, at an early age, understand that their freedom was paid forward at a great expense. Let us work to educate others on the true meaning of Memorial Day and let us vow to stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. We thank them, and them alone, for our nation’s past, and for the hope and memories that continue to propel us into the future.”
Curtis A Smith VFW Post 1033 and auxiliary were honored to be able to pay tribute to their comrades who gave all. God bless them and America.
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