'Freedom has a sound': Ormond Beach honors fallen vets during annual Memorial Day Service

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Pierre Louis delivered this year's address.

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The first U.S. Marine Pierre Louis ever saw in uniform was his uncle, Pfc. William McCaskill, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

Louis, a retired U.S. Marine Corps chief warrant officer, said it was he who inspired him to live a life of service. Last month, when he visited Washington D.C. and read his uncle's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, he said he could feel "the energy of freedom" emitting from the names engraved on the wall.

"It was as though these Americans screamed out to me, and they screamed out for all of us to never forget that freedom has a sound," Louis said.

Louis delivered the city of Ormond Beach's Memorial Day Remembrance Service address at the annual ceremony at Rockefeller Gardens on Monday, May 27. The service — presented by Leisure Services, the Memorial Remembrance Committee, American Legion Post 267 and American Legion Unit 267 — featured music by the Daytona Beach Concert Band, the presentation of colors, a fly over by Spruce Creek Gaggle Flight and a wreath laying ceremony. The service also included the tolling of the eight bells, which honors a sailor’s end of watch, and a rifle salute.

Two men were recognized by the Memorial Day Remembrance Committee for their service: Charles Long, the director of the Daytona Beach Concert Band, and Rev. Willie Branch Jr. 

Long is stepping down from his role as director; Branch, while he is remaining involved in the committee, will no longer serve as chaplain. This year's service was his last performing the benediction.

"I've enjoyed coming up here every year and giving you a piece of my heart," Branch said.

Before delivering his last benediction, Branch called for better treatment of veterans. His uncle, he said, was the first Black officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"He taught me how to just do what is right in the eyes of God," Branch said. "I've dedicated my life to that endeavor."

Freedom has a voice, Louis said. He listed military ranks, acknowledging those who he said answered the call to serve.

Louis enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old and served for over 20 years. Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Louis' path to the military began when he was 9. 

He told a story of a cub scout who came home from a Memorial Day parade and was told his uncle's story by his father. 

That scout, Louis said, was him. 

"When anyone says you can't do something in this great land of my country — tis of thee, sweet land of liberty — you remember that you are an American and Americans can do," Louis said. "... This day, we honor and memorialize men and women who died of military service, who died believing in America. Their sacrifices are not for his America or her America. Their sacrifices are for our America."

 

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