The sound of church bells ringing marked the beginning of the Memorial Day service at West Cadiz Park on Monday morning.
The ceremony started with the Posting of Colors by the Pennyrile Honor Guard, followed by an invocation by City Council member Brenda Price. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem by Trigg County High School teacher Latrita Russell.
American Legion member Curt Holmes along with VFW member David Shore read the names of service members from Trigg County who were killed in action during both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
Following this, Shore shared the story of how his childhood was changed as a result of World War II. Shore is a former Marine, Member of the Detachment 1150 Marine Corp League, and part of the Pennyrile Honor Guard. He said seeing men enlist or be drafted into the military as a six year old along with facing the fear of his father not returning home allowed him to have a unique perspective on the sacrifice of the families of service members who were never given the closure of having a funeral or burial for their loved ones.
The touching speech was followed with the singing of “God Bless America”. The attendees were then given the opportunity to join the reciting of “America’s Creed”, led by Daughters of the American Revolution James Thomas Chapter Historian Pam Metts.
The service ended with a benediction by Crossroads Fellowship Pastor Matt Shown, the playing of Taps by Veteran Jack Tomalewicz, and the Retiring of Colors by the Pennyrile Honor Guard.
