Lauderdale County residents took time Monday to remember and recognize more than 244 military service members from the community who died serving their country as the nation marked Memorial Day.
In a ceremony held at City Hall, county, city and state officials, veterans and community members listened to the names of the fallen being read out loud so their names would never be forgotten.
Lauderdale County Supervisor Josh Todd, who served as emcee for Monday’s program, thanked all those involved in organizing the event. Recognizing and remembering fallen military service members is critical, both for the community now and future generations.
“Memorial Day is not just a date on the calendar. It is a sacred debt of remembrance we owe to those who gave everything for our freedom,” he said.
Lt. Col. Jason Byrd, who serves as chaplain for the Mississippi Air National Guard and guest speaker for Monday’s event, encouraged the crowd to tell the stories of those who didn’t make it home, say their names and honor their legacy. Going to a cemetery and placing flags at military graves and praying for Gold Star families are also ways to mark the holiday.
“I would say most importantly do this. Be a citizen worthy of the sacrifice that they have made,” he said.
Arguing and division are rampant in every community throughout the nation, Byrd said, but America is at its best when people are united and working together.
“Turn down the volume and love your neighbor. Serve your community. Vote, support those who are in public office, pray for them. Do whatever you can to be a citizen that is worthy of the sacrifice that has been made on your behalf so that we may all continue to enjoy the American way of life, the liberties and freedoms that are the envy of everyone else in the world,” he said. “That’s the best thing you can do, the best commitment you can make this Memorial Day.”
While television and movies depict heroes as superhuman or action stars, the true heroes are everyday people who stepped up to serve their country, Byrd said. They were people with goals and dreams for the future that will never come to fruition because they gave their lives making sure future generations could see their dreams come true instead.
Monday’s program included a 21-gun salute by the Meridian Police Department, Taps played by J.B. Griffith, posting of the colors by the Naval Air Station Meridian Color Guard and national anthem sung by Zena Limerick.
The event was organized by the Veterans Appreciation Committee and East Mississippi Veterans Foundation with support from local veterans’ organizations and more.