RADCLIFF, Ky. — Smoke slowly rose and drifted across several white tombstones May 29 as more than 400 Fort Knox and area residents stood in reverence to the booming 21-gun salute.
Shortly after the last round, a trumpet player from the U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Army Band played taps in honor of the thousands of veterans buried at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff. Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Roger Deon Jr., commander of Army Reserve Aviation Command, said there is unity in honoring the contributions of America’s fallen heroes.
“Memorial Day holds a profound significance as we remember those who laid down their lives for our country,” said Deon. “This solemn day calls upon us to reflect on the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes and to pay homage to their memory.”
Deon considered it an honor for many veterans from all the service branches to participate in the Memorial Day event.
“Your presence here today serves as a testament to those you honor – and proves you have not forgotten their valor and sacrifice,” said Deon. “May you continue to live a life worthy of their sacrifice.”
The ceremony began with a prayer invocation by Chaplain (Col.) Stanley Whitten, lead chaplain at Fort Knox Garrison, followed by a tribute to each service that has contributed lives to the pursuit of freedom. A member of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Honor Guard stood next to a table filled with service hats and other items that depict prisoners of war and those missing in action.
“The legacy of these, our fallen heroes, and their lasting impact to our Military and to our Nation – will not be forgotten,” said Deon. “These fallen heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we recognize in their noble deeds, their unwavering commitment to our nation – which continues to inspire us.”
After Deon’s remarks, two other members of the HRC Honor Guard conducted a ceremonial folding of the American flag, symbolizing with each fold the sacrifices made not only by service members and veterans but also by their families.
Soldiers from 19th Engineer Battalion fired a 21-cannon salute to honor the fallen heroes, followed by a wreath-laying at the base of the flagpole by Deon and ARAC Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Schlatter.
As a final honor, band members played an armed forces medley of each service branch’s song. Veterans who had served in those branches were encouraged to stand during their song.
William Ray stood during the U.S. Marine Corps song. He served in Marines from 1957 to 1978, including two tours in Vietnam and during which he said he miraculously walked away without even a scratch.
“There were so many guys and gals who didn’t come back, or they came back with only one leg or arm – those are the ones we need to remember,” said Ray. “We’re so thankful for them.”
At the conclusion of the hour-long ceremony, those in attendance traveled across the 98-acre cemetery, many with bouquets of flowers, to remember their loved ones. Barbara Proffitt, affectionately known locally as the pie lady, carried a large poster with her that depicted her family members who had served in the military.
Her husband, Ronnie, had died Dec. 5, 2010. Barbara stood at his grave visiting with two other ladies. As she took pictures of Barbara, one lady asked about Ronnie.
Barbara smiled: “I miss him every day.”
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