- April 29, 2026
Join Flagler County at its Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, featuring special guest speaker retired Major General Wilfred Hessert.
Hessert’s storied career began in 1960 when he enlisted in the United States Army and spent the first three years of his 40-year career there. He then enlisted in the Maine Air National Guard and received his first direct commission in 1965. He assumed command of the 101 st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in 1979 and served as deputy commander for maintenance, deputy commander for operations, vice wing commander, and then wing commander for the 101 st Air Refueling Wing in the Maine Air National Guard.
He last served as military executive to the Reserve Forces Policy Board and military advisor to the board’s chairman, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (personnel and readiness), Washington, D.C.
During his career, Hessert was honored with nearly 20 Major Awards and Decorations: Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster; Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Good Conduct Medal; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star; Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze service star; Army Overseas Service Ribbon; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass; Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon; Air Force Training Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; and, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia).
“Flagler County has a very strong community of veterans,” said Veterans Service Officer David Lydon. “It is a privilege and an honor to have a distinguished veteran like Major General Wilfred Hessert help us pay tribute to those who lost their lives in service to our country.”
The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. in front of the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem. Later, “God Bless America” will be sung by all who are in attendance. Vince Cautero will once again lead the singing of “God Bless the USA.”
The Memorial Day event is sponsored by the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners and the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council. Veterans and support groups to participate include the following: American Legion Post 115, Boy Scouts of America, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86, Flagler County FireFlight, Flagler County Veterans Service Office, Girl Scouts of America, the Knights of Columbus, Marine Corps League 876, Matanzas and Flagler-Palm Coast High School JROTC, Military Officers Association of America- Flagler Chapter, Palm Coast, and Veterans of Foreign War Post 8696.
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