Memorial Day at American Legion

To honor those who did not make it home, those who made the ultimate sacrifice, is the driving motivation behind Memorial Day. To that end, the American Legion hosted its annual service on May 25, inside the American Legion building on the square. It was a beautiful ceremony, with lovely music performed by Gene Hodge and Sandy Witt, help from the Girl Scouts, and great speakers sharing what Memorial Day meant to them.

Mayor Jerry Lowery is himself a veteran, having served in the Navy, so his speech came from a place of experience. He said, “Memorial Day is a sacred cause of the life of our nation, a moment where Americans stop to honor those who gave everything so that we could live free.”

Gene Hodge is a well-known name in the White County community, a wonderful performer, and a kind man. During the service, he sang two songs, “American Trilogy” and “America the Beautiful.” Sandy Witt also performed at the event, with Hodge supporting on guitar during her performance of “No Man’s Land,” a song that refers to a 19-year-old young man who lost his life serving during World War I.

After some of the speeches and wonderful performances, Girl Scout Troop 1101 came up to assist in the bell ringing ceremony. Captain Jessie Buttrum was the bell ringer, but five young ladies read out the names. Going down from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, the young ladies presented the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country.

Thanks to the American Legion for putting on this wonderful ceremony, honoring one of the most important parts of our country’s history: those who did not make it back.