Tell their stories: Ormond Beach honors the fallen during annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service

This year's keynote speaker for the Ormond Beach Memorial Day Remembrance Service was retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Don Felt.

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The names etched in stone memorials across the country aren't just names, said retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Don Felt.

"They represent a soldier, a sailor, an airman, a marine, a coast guardsman or a merchant marine as we're honoring today, and they represent their families," Felt said. "... The number of those affected by their loss far exceeds that 1.3 million." 

Felt, of Daytona Beach, was the keynote speaker during the Ormond Beach Memorial Day Remembrance Service on Monday, May 25, at Rockefeller Gardens. Featuring live music by the Daytona Beach Concert Band, the ceremony consisted of wreath presentations, a flyover by the Spruce Creek Gaggle Flight, the tolling of eight bells, a rifle salute by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1048 Honor Guard, and a rendering of Amazing Grace by the Coastal Florida Police and Fire Pipes and Drums. 

In addition to the VVA, several other groups participated in the remembrance ceremony, including American Legion Post 267, the Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Ormond Beach Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, the Daytona-Ormond Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Ormond Strong and Scout Troops 65, 88 and 717.

"It is particularly important that we honor the men and women of Ormond Beach, the surrounding communities, and our nation who have answered the call to serve our country through military service," said retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. R. Bancroft McKittrick, who opened the ceremony. "On this day, we remember the fallen and the liberties and the freedoms we enjoy, thanks to the sacrifices of so many generations of men and women made on our behalf."

Felt served in the Army for 30 years before retiring. During his three decades of service, he held every leadership position within the infantry, from fire team leader to division command sergeant major, according to his bio. He served as command sergeant major during two deployments in Iraq.

During his address, Felt spoke about an 18-year-old soldier who was wounded while overseas in Iraq. The soldier, Steven Cornford, stayed by his lieutenant's side as he died in combat. 

"I could see the pain in Cornford's eyes," Felt recalled. "The doctors, the nurses, the surgery, the morphine — they had taken care of his physical pain, but the pain I could see in his face was because he had failed to save his lieutenant's life. I told him, 'Cornford, you did everything that I've ever asked you to do. I'm proud of you.' I was proud of him then. I'm proud of them now."

Cornford is a hero, Felt said, but Memorial Day is to remember men like his lieutenant, Phillip Neel, a native of Fredericksburg, Maryland, and West Point graduate.

Neel is one of the more than 1.3 million Americans who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

"Say their name, remember their sacrifice, tell their story, and pray for their families," Felt said. "God bless our men and women in uniform, and may those who we memorialize today rest in peace."

 

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