CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

'Reflect on their sacrifice': Live Oak honors fallen veterans with Memorial Day service

Suwannee Democrat - 5/31/2017

May 31--LIVE OAK -- As he was preparing his remarks for Monday's Memorial Day service, Colonel William F. (Lin) Williams got a helping hand from a current serviceman.

The letter that Williams, who retired from the U.S.Marine Corps Reserve in 2010 and now serves as the Suwannee County Judge, read to those in attendance at the ceremony in the City of Live Oak cemetery, urged to treat Memorial Day as it was intended.

"Memorial Day is not just another holiday," Williams read. "Since the inception of our nation, men and women have put their lives on the line. Not for a flag, not for praise but for the promise of a better future. As you celebrate this weekend, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice. Ask yourself are you living up to their sacrifice and be grateful that you woke up an American. For the brothers and sisters that we have lost, we miss you, we are grateful for you and we honor your memory. Semper fidelis and rest in peace. We have the fight.'"

Those crowded around the veterans memorial in the Live Oak cemetery certainly heeded that advice.

Wendy Jossie, with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 126, and Alonzo Philmore, with the American Legion Harry C. Gray II Memorial Post 107, read the veterans called home since last year's Memorial Day. The honor guard fired off the 21-gun salute and Tim Horn, a veteran from the U.S. Air Force, played taps.

The Legion Riders began and ended the ceremony with the stacking of motorcycles and Rosemary Ivie, with the Live Oak Garden Club, placed a wreath at the veterans memorial. Joy Geiger led the audience in the singing of both the national anthem and "America the Beautiful."

But before the wreath was placed and the names read, and after Williams told the story of Desmond Doss, a World War II veteran that refused to carry a gun because of his religious beliefs but still served because of his patriotism, he left the audience with a poem from Sherrie Ball.

I do not know your name,

Nor in which battle you died.

I do now know your home,

Nor the tears that were cried.

I do not know where you rest,

Nor the promises broken.

I do not know your uniform,

And the fears laid unspoken.

But I know your spirit exists,

That your courage is admired,

And your sacrifice is honored,

By each should that is inspired.

And I offer to you from my heart,

Thank you, to the guardians unknown

For offering yourselves for us all

So that we may keep freedom our home.

___

(c)2017 the Suwannee Democrat (Live Oak, Fla.)

Visit the Suwannee Democrat (Live Oak, Fla.) at www.suwanneedemocrat.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.