Flagler County honors fallen heroes at Memorial Day Ceremony

‘Our country could not and cannot survive without the selfless sacrifices of our citizens who serve in our armed forces,’ retired Maj. Gen. Wilfred Hessert said.

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In a poignant Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Services Officer David Lydon read the last roll call for military veterans who lost their lives as Assistant Veterans Services Officer Eric Flores rang the bell for each name. Attendees sang “God Bless America,” and Vince Cautero sang a rousing “God Bless the USA.”

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine spoke at the ceremony on Monday, May 25, in front of the Government Services Building in Bunnell.

“Today is a day we remember those who sacrificed themselves for all of us,” Fine said. “We honor them by making the country they scrificed themselves for worth living in.”

Maj. Gen. Wilfred Hessert, who served in the military for 40 years as an enlisted man in the U.S. Army and an officer for the Maine Air National Guard, was the featured speaker.

“Our country could not and cannot survive without the selfless sacrifices of our citizens who serve in our armed forces,” Hessert said. “The qualities of duty, courage, bravery and self-sacrifice have endured throughout our history and continue to define the service of America's citizens serving in our Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and now Space Force. Their sacrifices endure so that we might continue to enjoy the blessings of living in freedom in these United States of America.”

Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high school JROTC cadets presented the colors. Old Kings Elementary School student Laurel Duffy sang the national anthem. Girl scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance and assisted Lydon and Flagler County Sons of the American Revolution’s Charles R. Hayes with the laying of the wreaths. Retired Army Lt. Col. Harry Gilman delivered the invocation and benediction, and Flores played “Taps.”

American Legion Post 115, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86, the Marine Corps League Detachment 876 rifle squad, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8596 and the Knights of Columbus also participated in the ceremony. And Flagler County’s FireFlight helicopter performed a flyover.

 

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