- December 7, 2025
Five wreaths were presented at the ceremony, including the wreath for 1776 Continental Army. Photo by Wayne Grant
Rod Phillips, president of Vietnam Veterans 1048, welcomes the audience. Photo by Wayne Grant
The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1048 Color Guard presents the flag. Photo by Wayne Grant
The Missing Man Table was explained by Chaplain Terry Mone. The rose stands for the missing; a pinch of salt, tears; the Bible, faith, inverted glass, inability to share a toast, red ribbon, determination to account for missing.
Rod Phillips, president of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1048 and State Senator Tom Wright. Photo by Wayne Grant
Graves were decorated with flags and flowers. Photo by Wayne Grant
A bell tolled for each fallen soldier after the name was announced at the ceremony. Attendees came forward from the audience to name a father, brother, daughter, son, uncle or friend who made the ultimate sacrifice in wars going back to World War II as a breeze fluttered the flags and flowers that decorated the graves across the cemetery.
The Memorial Day Celebration 2019, hosted by Volusia Memorial Park on North Nova Road and the Vietnam Veterans of America Daytona Beach Chapter 1048, was emceed by Rod Phillips, president of the chapter. The ceremony included a laying of wreaths for Gold Star Mothers, 1776 Continental Army, Submarine Veterans, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1048 and Military Order of the Purple Hearts Chapter 316.
State Senator Sen. Tom A. Wright, guest speaker, announced that a bill awaiting the governor’s signature will approve research into therapies to help those with post-traumatic stress disorder, such as hyperbaric chambers. He said there are 275,000 people with PTSD and he hopes to get that down to zero.
He also urged the attendees to help get veterans of fighting in the Middle East to take part in veterans’ organizations to seek help they may need.
