Photo By Cpl. Cameron Darrough | Attendees sing the National Anthem at the Beaufort Memorial Day Ceremony at Battery...... read more read more
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Service members, veterans, family members, and the local community attended a Memorial Day Ceremony in Beaufort, S.C. May 28.
Due to inclement weather, the annual Memorial Day parade at the Beaufort National Cemetery was cancelled and the ceremony was moved to Battery Creek High School. Air Force Maj. Gen. (ret.) Harold Mitchell,
a Beaufort native, was the keynote speaker and delivered the Memorial Day Address for the ceremony. Col. Timothy Miller, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and other leaders in the Tri-Command also attended and spoke in the ceremony.
“Ceremonies like this one are occurring all over this great nation today,” said Miller. “The United States is a bastion of freedom admired by nations around the world. These freedoms exist because of the unselfish contributions of those who died while defending it.”
Memorial Day, which originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, holds a sacred spot on the U.S. calendar. Every year on the last Monday of May, Americans pause to remember and reflect on the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Memorial Day is a day to commemorate their sacrifice.
“This day has been designated a federal holiday for the express purpose of remembering and honoring those who died in service while defending our country,” said Mitchell. “Originally as Decoration Day, it was commemorated as a day to decorate the graves of those who have fallen. This day has evolved into a day of great reverence where we must reflect inward on the freedoms we may take advantage of while remembering those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Beaufort community was a big part of the observation of the holiday, paying respects and observing the solemn holiday, some having family who paid the ultimate price. As the ceremony concluded, Maj. Gen. Mitchell was awarded a plaque by the Women’s Relief Corps.
“Beaufort is a very special place when it comes to our nation’s military,” said Rev. Dr. Elijah Washington, the chairman of the Memorial Day Committee. “Braving the weather and taking time out of their schedules to celebrate this holiday with us just shows the true patriotism and dedication of the citizens of Beaufort.”
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2018 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 279049 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT , SC, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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