Crowd gathers for Memorial Day Observance
A crowd gathered yesterday at the Camp Toccoa at Currahee pavilion for the Memorial Day observance.
The ceremony was themed for World War I as this year is the 100th anniversary of the Great War.
It included many traditions to honor those who have given their lives in service of this country, including the Colors Presentation by the Stephens County High School JROTC Color guard, a reading of the poem, “In Flanders Fields” by Mrs. Rebecca Jesswyn Howard and keynote speaker, Paige Dooley.
Dooley is the Toccoa Chapter Regent for the national Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and she spoke on events leading up to and during World War I.
During the observance, there was also a wreath laying ceremony for guests who were honoring a lost loved one and a folding of the U.S. flag, explaining the significance of the 13-folds.
World War II veteran Bulldog Smith attended the ceremony and said the event was great because it’s important to realize how many veterans have given their lives.
“I think that with all of the wars that’s going on now, that people are beginning to realize that there are millions of people that gave their lives,” said Smith. “Young people, 17, 18, 19-years-old, millions of them are laying in cemeteries all over Europe and some here. Veterans are the people that kept this country and other countries going.”
The ceremony was concluded with rifle detail honors, including a 21-gun salute and taps.