By Carol McIntire
Editor
May 30, 2012

Area veterans lined up behind the color guard and were recognized during the Memorial Day ceremony at Carrollton.

Retired Army Sergeant Major Thomas E. McMillen reminded a large crowd gathered at Westview Cemetery on Memorial Day that America will only remain the home of the free so long as we are the home of the brave.

“Our freedom is a highly valued and targeted commodity,” McMillen said, speaking from a podium perched on the flatbed of a truck. “When America’s freedom is threatened, the military picks up its arms and pushes back the threat.”

During his speech, McMillan presented a brief history lesson on the origin of Memorial Day, noting it was originally a day to honor Civil War soldiers, although today it encompasses soldiers who lost their lives in all wars.

“We owe our thanks, our honor to those who fought and defended our country,” he said. “Too often we fail to remember those who gave their lives.”

He noted during the Revolutionary War, 25,000 were killed, during the Civil War, 600,000 lost their lives, during World War I, 116,000 were killed; World War II claimed 400,000, Korea 36,000, Vietnam claimed 58,000 lives and 6,400 have lost their lives to date in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Shawn Glasure, commander of VFW Post #3301, served as master of ceremonies for the ceremony that included the singing of the National Anthem by Chandler Meek and the reading of his winning Voice of Democracy speech by Austin Peake.

The Carrollton High School band played patriotic numbers and Meek and Tim Silver played taps. Bill Moore, chaplain of the VFW Post, read the list of names of veterans who died during the past year. Rodger Barto served as officer of the day. Several veterans who attended the ceremony were recognized and stood behind the color guard and firing squad during the ceremony.

A large number of units participated in the annual Memorial Day parade that marched through the village and around Public Square.

AT MALVERN
Chaplain Charles R. Pearson, chaplain of Malvern American Legion Post 357 was the guest speaker for the Malvern Memorial Day remembrance held in Bethlehem Cemetery. The day’s activities included a parade, brief ceremony at St. Xavier Cemetery and a march to Bethlehem Cemetery for the program.  

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