- February 2, 2026
The Daytona Beach Concert Band, conducted by Charles Long, played as the crowd arrived. Photos by Wayne Grant
Members of Ormond Beach Civil Air Patrol and Boy Scouts Troop 65 attended the wreaths. Photos by Wayne Grant
A large crowd gathered at Rockefeller Gardens for the ceremony. Photos by Wayne Grant
Getting ready for the ceremony are Natalie (center), Isaac and Elijah Kennedy. Photos by Wayne Grant
Those attending were given carnations to drop by the eternal flame. Photos by Wayne Grant
The Memorial Remembrance address was given by Capt. Randall Lynch, U.S. Navy (retired). Photos by Wayne Grant
Boy Scouts of America Troop 65 took part in the ceremony. Photos by Wayne Grant
Stephanie Olin signed for the hearing impaired. Singing the National Anthem is Gwen Watson. Photos by Wayne Grant
Special wreath laying ceremonies were held. Photos by Wayne Grant
I’ve always remembered the picture of Uncle Lester that hung on my grandmother’s living room wall. He was wearing his Army uniform, his cap at a cocky angle, with the confident grin you often see in photos from the 1940s. My dad and his three brothers fought in World War II, and all came back home, except Cpl. Lester, who died in a plane crash in the Caribbean Sea.
Through the post-war years, the brothers built houses in the suburbs, raised families and enjoyed the peace and prosperity they fought for. When the families gathered at Grandmother’s house, Uncle Lester was there only in memory.
At the Ormond Beach Memorial Day Service, I watched as people dropped carnations beside the eternal flame. I saw the faraway look in their eyes as they remembered someone who didn’t come back home.
It’s their day … the ones left behind. The color guards, prayers, speeches and flyovers help us honor them, as we enjoy the freedom they helped preserve.
