- April 23, 2024
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American Legion honor guard member Patrick Hartnett, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lance corporal, salutes while taps is played in honor of the fallen soldiers. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Veteran Vince Cautero sings "God Bless the U.S.A." at the Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Matanzas High School's 2nd Lt. Arabella Allen leads the JROTC cadets in removing the colors at the end of the county's Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Flagler County Veteran services officer David Lydon bows his head as retired U.S. Army Chaplain Lt. Col. Harry Gilman gives the closing benediction at the county's Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The Marine Corps League's Flagler County Detachment 876 gave the three-volley salute during the Flagler County Memorial Day ceremony. From left to right: Frank Arce, Joseph Kowalsky, James Lindau and Tom Mahan. Photo by Sierra Williams.
American Legion Post 115's Joseph Licata, a U.S. Navy Seabee veteran, rings the bell for Last Roll Call. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Flagler County's Fire Flight tows an American flag across the sky above the Flagler County Memorials Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Local singer Shannon Rae sang the national anthem, the United States Armed Forces Medley and “God Bless America” at the county's ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Arabella Allen, second lieutenant in Matanzas High school's JROTC program, leads her fellow cadets in presenting the colors at the county's Memorial Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Matanzas High School JROTC cadets present the colors at the county's Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Members of the Flagler County Boy and Girl Scout troops 472, 4472 and 400 lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance at the county's ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Peggy Hengeveld was one of the speakers at the county's Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Peggy Hengeveld was one of the speakers at the county's Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The Marine Corps League's Flagler County Detachment 876 gave the three-volley salute during the Flagler County Memorial Day ceremony. From left to right: Frank Arce, Joseph Kowalsky, James Lindau and Tom Mahan. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Palm Coast City Council member Cathy Heighter's son, Army Private First Class Raheen Tyson Heighter, was recognized for his service at the Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Abigail Pherigo of Scout troop 4472 during the county's Memorial Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The Marine Corps League's Flagler County Detachment 876 gave a three-volley salute during the Flagler County Memorial Day ceremony. From left to right: Frank Arce, Joseph Kowalsky, James Lindau and Tom Mahan. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Marine Corps League member Michael Monlezun Sr. served as a medic at a Naval hospital with the marines. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The Marine Corps League's Flagler County Detachment 876 gave the three-volley salute during the Flagler County Memorial Day ceremony. From left to right: Frank Arce, Joseph Kowalsky, James Lindau and Tom Mahan. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The Flagler County Commissioners and members of the Flagler Beach City Commission and Palm Coast City Council attended the Flagler County Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Flagler County Veteran Services Officer David Lydon holds his hand over his heart during the national anthem. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Veteran Vince Cautero sings "God Bless the U.S.A." at the Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Veteran Vince Cautero sings "God Bless the U.S.A." at the Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Flagler County honored the country’s fallen soldiers in a Memorial Day ceremony at the county Government Services Building the morning of May 29.
Flagler County Veteran Services Officer David Lydon read the Last Roll Call for Flagler County veterans who had died in the last year.
The county also recognized Army Private First Class Raheen Tyson Heighter, the son of Palm Coast City Council Member Cathy Heighter. Raheen Heighter died on July 24, 2003 while serving in Iraq.
“Today we remember Corporal Raheen Tyson Heighter, and all who gave their life defending this great country and the United States Armed Forces,” Lydon said.
Raheen Heighter joined the army at 20 years old, just months before 9/11, Lydon said.
The county presented Cathy Heighter with a plaque in honor of her son, who was buried at Long Island National Cemetery with full military honors.
Heighter said she can’t believe that in a few weeks it will be 20 years since her son died.
“I cannot think of a day that has gone by since then that I have not thought of him,” Heighter said.
Heighter said her son was the first casualty from Long Island in the Iraq War.
After his death, she said, she knew she needed to become the voice for her son and the others like him.
“I struggled to keep my son's memory alive, so that he shall never be forgotten,” Heighter said. “And to remember all those brave heroes who have served this country and made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The county invited Matanzas High School’s Junior Reserve Office Training Corps cadets to present the nation’s colors, while members of several Flagler County Boy and Girl Scout troop led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members of Flagler County’s Marine Corps League, detachment 876, performed a three-volley salute, after the Last Roll Call.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Peggy Hengeveld and Flagler Beach City Commissioner Jane Mealy were among the other speakers at the ceremony.
Local singer Shannon Rae sang the national anthem, the United States Armed Forces Medley and “God Bless America.” Veteran Vince Cautero returned to sing “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Heighter said Memorial Day should be about remembering and honoring American soldiers.
“Never forget the high price of freedom,” she said. “We owe these brave men and women who gave their lives for this country a debt that we can never repay."
