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Page 2A - Pike County Journal Reporter - Wednesday, June 9, 2021 PHOTOS BY JOHN ELLIS Above left, the multi-organizational Color Guard for the Memorial Day program included SFC Stephen Ponce, SFC Eric Loving and SSG Jonathon Hansen from the U.S. Army Recruiting Com mand in Griffin, Stephen Golias, Stefan Huckaby and Matt Germain from the Pike County American Legion Post 197, Melissa Patten from the Legion Auxiliary Unit 197 and Jason Patten from the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 197. Above right, Millie Smith an upcoming ninth grader gazes at the American flag as she sings the National Anthem. Post 197's Memorial Day parade, program draw large crowd BY JOHN ELLIS news@pikecojntygeorgia.com A large crowd of around 100 citizens gathered at the court house on Memorial Day to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation as American Legion Post 197 hosted a parade, fol lowed by the Memorial Day program. Speakers at the program included District 131 Rep. and Pike native Beth Camp, CPT Herbert Cyrus, Com mander of the Peachtree City Recruiting Company and SFC Stephen Ponce, Station Commander, SFC Eric Loving and SSG Jon athon Hansen, recruiters from the Griffin Recruit ing Station. The National Anthem was sung by Ninth Grade Academy student Millie Smith. “Citizens all over America, like us, have gathered together to participate in Memorial Day activities. Volunteers place American flags at service member graves in local and national cemeteries through out the world. There are monuments to the war dead with color ful flowered wreaths which we will do later in the program. As we did, some communities are conducting parades to recognize Memorial Day. The activities we do on Memorial Day, are what makes this day so special. We honor the more than one million men and women who lost their lives defending America in wars from the Revolution to the Global War on Terrorism. This is why we hear and say, “Freedom is not free.” Those heroes paid for our freedom,” said Post 197 commander Bryan Richardson. “We are here today, not because we have been forced to be here; but, we are here because we want to be here. We owe it to those who sacrificed every thing and were deprived of the very freedoms they fought for and we now cherish; our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let us never lose focus of what Me morial Day means.” Post 197 commander Richardson also shared the history of Memorial Day which started after the Civil War when more than 600,000 soldiers died and the formal prac tice of decorating graves started. “One version of how Memorial Day began was in the summer of 1865, when a prominent local druggist, Henry Welles, from the village of Waterloo, New York mentioned to some of his friends at a social gather ing that while praising the living veterans of the Civil War, it would be well to remember the patriotic dead by placing flowers on their graves. Nothing resulted from this suggestion until he advanced the idea again the following spring to General John Murray. Murray, a civil war hero and intensely patriotic, supported the idea wholeheartedly and marshalled veterans’ support. Plans were developed for a more complete celebration by a local citizens’ commit tee headed by Welles and Murray. On May 5, 1866, the village was decorated with flags at half staff and with black ribbons. Veterans, civic societies and residents, led by General Murray, marched to the strains of martial music to the three village cemeteries where impressive cer emonies were held and soldiers’ graves deco rated. One year later, on May 5, 1867, the ceremo nies were repeated. In 1868, Waterloo joined with other communities in holding their obser vance on May 30, in accordance with General Logan’s orders,” said commander Richardson. He noted that on May 5, 1868, three days after the Civil War ended, Gen. John Logan issued a proclamation calling for “Decoration Day” to be observed annually ai ' & ■ M Above, the Memorial Day parade included floats and military vehicles like the one above, deco rated with the American Legion flag. Below, speakers at the Memorial Day program included (l-r) District 131 Rep. Beth Camp, U.S. Army Capt. Herbert W. Cyrus and Post 197 commander Bryan Richardson. and nationwide. It was meant as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. It was observed for the first time that year on May 30th. This date was chosen because it was the time that flower-blos soms would be at their peak. After World War I, all American soldiers were honored. Up until this point, Memorial Day only officially celebrated those soldiers who had died in the Civil War. Since then, Memorial Day honors all military who served and died for the United States of America. The name for the holiday gradually changed from “Decora tion Day” to “Memorial Day” which was a term first used in 1882. It did not become more com mon until after World War 11, and was not de clared the official name until 1967. Near the end of the program, Rep. Beth Camp and Capt. Herbert Cyrus placed a wreath at the Veterans Memorial as Honor Guard member Legionnaires Huckaby and Germain assisted. After the placement of the wreath, there was a moment of silence, and then the playing of Taps. A total of 37 veterans Citizens of all ages enjoyed the Memorial Day parade and program, including (above) Oliver and Aiden Burns. from Pike County passed away since the previ ous Memorial Day and they were honored at the program, including, from the U.S. Navy, John T. Millwood, Thomas M. Brown, Marley H. Lance, James W. Lawrence, Alfred L. Walker, James Killingsworth, James R. Boswell, Billy J. Rogers, Orvis G. Haney, Len H. Camp, Don H. Thomas, Charles G. West and Richard A. Curtis; from the U.S. Army, Marion O. Gooden, Bill H. Poston, Robert E. Kempson, Lawson J. Ison, James H. Stone, Sr., William R. Reedy, Ephron W. Yearwood, Harold O. Jennings, Kenneth E. Web, Douglas E. Jones and Richard L. Jett, Sr.; from the U.S. Air Force, William D. Allen, Jr., Charles E. Johnson, Benny W. Thompson, Louis V. Dotson, Douglas T. Rounds, Jimmie J. Gar rett, Douglas M. Taylor, Jay S. Rogers, Wendall A. Golias, Frank L. Bates, James M. McCurdy and Robert Brown; and from the U.S. Marines, Gordon A. Sheriff. Pike County Journal Reporter 16026 Barnesville St. • Zebulon www.pikecountygeorgia.com jennifer@pikecountygeorgia.com It Pays To Advertise! And there’s no better place than the newspaper. Call us today to help you on the way to a great advertising plan. estoration & roofing Your hometown restoration and roofing experts! °P Water Damage Restoration & Fire Damage Repair M Mold Removal & Remediation New and Remodel Roofs On call 24/7 • 470 479 0205 Todd Coursey- Owner / Licensed and Insured www.centralgeorgiarestoration.com