Veteran John Schantz, commander of the Forty & Eight, stands at attention while the 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment marches the U.S. flag into position for the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem during the Memorial Day Ceremony on May 25 at ...
Vietnam veteran Willie Van Vactor of Hazel Green bows his head in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes during the Memorial Day
Ceremony at Maple Hill Cemetery. Van Vactor, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, attended the ceremony with his dau...
Under gray clouds that threatened rain, members of 20 military organizations were joined by hundreds of community residents in a patriotic, emotional and heart-warming ceremony at Maple Hill Cemetery to honor local military heroes on Memorial Day.
The May 25 ceremony drew an estimated crowd of 800 attendees, who participated in a program that included patriotic music, the placing of memorial wreaths, a rifle salute, and comments from local community and military leaders. The annual Memorial Day Ceremony was hosted by the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army and co-sponsored by the North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organizations Coalition.
While Memorial Day is traditionally a day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation, Brig. Gen. Tim Crosby, program executive officer for aviation, said it is also a day when Americans should remember the blessings of living in a country that has never been occupied by a foreign force and that is strong politically, economically and militarily.
"Let us challenge ourselves today to always remember how much we owe to the valiant men and women of the armed forces, those who have served and those who are serving now," he urged his audience.
Crosby said nearly 5,000 military heroes have died since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
"All died for a great cause: in defense of our freedom and democracy," he said.
"Today, we remember the sacrifices that Americans have made worldwide in answering the call of freedom. They followed in the footsteps of millions of veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect America and spread freedom throughout the world. Because of their sacrifices, there are fewer terrorists today that threaten America."
Several of Alabama's fallen military heroes were mentioned during the ceremony, including Staff Sgt. Joshua L. Rath of Decatur, Pfc. Ricky Turner of Hazel Green, Pvt. Sean P. McCune of Nauvoo, and most recently Sgt. Carlie Lee III of Birmingham.
"All of these Soldiers typify the core of the Army Warrior Ethos. They raised their right hand and vowed to protect the United States from enemies foreign and domestic," Crosby said. "They were young, full of life and could have done anything else with their lives, but they chose to serve their country instead and gave the ultimate sacrifice."
In the stories of each of these Soldiers is the real meaning of Memorial Day - that, despite the risk, servicemembers continue to commit to protecting and defending the freedoms of America.
"Through all the ceremonies, parades, prayers and speeches, we must make the troops who have died in our wars more than just names," Crosby said. "Let us resolve never to forget the freedoms they have won for us, nor the pain that must be endured by their family members they have left behind."
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Honor Flight president Joe Fitzgerald were also guest speakers at the ceremony.
Military organizations participating with AUSA and the Veterans Coalition in the ceremony included American Ex-Prisoners of War; American Legion & Auxiliary, Buford-Byrom Post 176; American Legion & Auxiliary, Huntsville-Madison County Post 237; Disabled American Veterans, Huntsville Chapter 26; Eighth Air Force Historical Society, North Alabama Chapter; Forty & Eight & Femmes, Tennessee Valley Voiture 1012; Forty-Second Rainbow Division Association, General Harry J. Collins Chapter; Jewish War Veterans of USA, Post 111; Korean War Veterans Association, Tennessee Valley Chapter 14; Marine Corps League, Brandon-Wilbourn Detachment 820; Military Officers Association, Redstone Chapter; Military Order of the Purple Heart, George Rauh Chapter 2201; U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association, Redstone Chapter; Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary, Gentry-Isom, Post 2702; Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary, Post 5162; Military Order of the World Wars, Redstone Chapter; 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment, CSA; and GFWC du Midi Woman's Club.
In addition, Boy Scout Troop 400, Huntsville Concert Band, Patriot Guard Riders, Murray Wilton Ministries, Bob Smith Ministries, New Life International and the Veterans Memorial Museum assisted with the program.
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