The Frankfort community bound together Monday morning in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the country would maintain its freedoms and liberties.
The ceremony commenced with a welcome by Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets where she detailed the reasoning behind Memorial Day and the importance of remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms of the citizens of the United States. Following Sheets, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 338 led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before Nathan McCullough sang the National Anthem.
A prayer by Shan Sheridan led into the memorial address from State Senator of District 7 Brian Buchanan who began by issuing a reminder to all Americans about the true meaning of Memorial Day and its significance and importance.
“When you think about Memorial Day, I think we often think of different things,” Buchanan said. “You look around, and you obviously see red, white and blue, and you see festivals and you see parades, but I think it’s important to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.”
Buchanan continued to state that Memorial Day was set in place in 1968 with national recognition in 1971 to pay tribute to those in the armed forces who fought to grant the country its freedoms that it has today.
“Memorial Day is simply the holiday that takes place annually on the last Monday in May and is a dedicated day for honoring U.S. military personnel who have died while serving the United States armed services,” Buchanan said. “Over 1.3 million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. Over 1.3 million Americans have died for the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy in this country. I think that’s something that we all need to make sure we recognize and pay tribute to.”
Following Buchanan’s address, Opal Bower delivered the annual reading of “In Flanders Field” by John McCrae to honor the veterans on Memorial Day.
In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie,In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.
Members of the VFW and American Legion took to the mound as the attendees sang “God Bless America” to decorate the mound before the Clinton County Honor Guard and Songs of the American Legion rounded out the ceremony with a 21-Gun Salute and a rendition of Taps.
The community was then invited to walk along Clinton Street to the bridge above Prairie Creek Park where the ceremony honoring sailors and marines buried at sea was held, ending with the scattering of petals in the creek to continue remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice alongside a 21-Gun Salute from the Clinton County Honor Guard and a rendition of Taps from the Sons of the American Legion.
Sheets commented that the move from Prairie Creek Park to the memorial at the courthouse was a welcomed change for the service as it provided an additional element of impact for the community members in attendance, especially due to the influence of Veteran Services Officer Joe Root.
“I think we are blessed in this community to have this memorial, and I am so excited it was here,” Sheets said. “That’s what it’s about is remembering our veterans. Joe Root has done a fantastic job on that, and we need to make it known all the work and effort he has put into it. I love it. I don’t know of any other place around here that has something like that. That took a lot of work on Joe’s part.”
As a conclusion to the service, community members were invited to the Frankfort VFW to enjoy lunch.
“God Bless America” led by Pat Day:
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Additional Photos and Video by Erick Dircks