Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day Service ... Staunton, VA ... Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand

Veteran from Staunton, Virginia.

Posting of Colors by American Legion Post 13. Stonewall Brigade Band members in background.

Veterans from local VFW & American Legion Posts.

The Army chair made me wonder if he was an Army veteran.

Staunton, VA

The program listed the presentation of floral wreaths by various chapters.

Some of the wreaths that were presented to honor fallen heroes.

Presentation by American Legion Post #13 and Auxiliary.

Wreath presentations. They were the ones who helped put this annual program together.

Keynote speaker Rev. Joel Thornton, Bethel Presbyterian Church. His message was uplifting and a reminder to never forget the cost of freedom and those who paid the price, and to remember every day the sacrifices given for our country.

Cole Boylen sang the "National Anthem" in a voice that must have made the angels smile. Nice job, Cole.

Air Force veteran SWAC Husband as "America" was being sung.

The red poppies were scattered throughout the crowd.

In Flander's Field
by John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

Many thanks to those who made this annual event possible including Master of Ceremonies Ray Houser (truly the voice of Staunton for 50+ years), the Stonewall Brigade Band, Cole Boylen who sang the National Anthem, Sara Traylor who led the Pledge of Allegiance, Rev. Steve Traylor for the invocation and benediction, and Rev. Joel Thornton for the keynote address.

Mostly, thank you to the military veterans who served this country and continue to serve by remembering those who did not make it home: American Legion Post 13, VFW Post 2216 and Auxiliary, and VFW Post 7814 and Auxiliary.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
31 May 2010

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