Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony

By Kevin StabinskyJune 2, 2011

Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony
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Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony
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Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony
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Installations play role in Marietta Memorial Day ceremony
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Soldiers from Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem joined with other military members and Civil War re-enactors Memorial Day to render honor to the men and women who gave their lives in defense of freedom.

The U.S. Army Garrison Honors Team was one of many groups to participate in the ceremony at the Marietta National Cemetery.

The ceremony, attended by Georgia governor Nathan Deal, included taps, a 21-gun salute and patriotic music by the Roswell New Horizons Band. Maj. Gen. Raymond Mason, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Forces Command, and Col. Deborah Grays, U.S. Army Garrison commander, both spoke at the event. Mark Barbour, president of The National Memorial Day Association of Georgia and the Avenue of Flags, Inc., said both Mason and Grays had memorable speeches, with Mason capturing the spirit and intent of Memorial Day and Grays doing an exceptional job of inspiring the estimated 3,000 people in attendance.

While many view Memorial Day as the start of summer, Barbour said celebrations like the one at Marietta bring focus back onto the real purpose of the day " honoring the men and women who died in defense of the country. And though they have fallen, by gathering together and honoring them, Barbour said it shows patriotism is alive and well.