American Legion Post 129 and VFW Post 5062 will host solemn Memorial Day ceremonies in Gainesboro and Livingston to honor service members who died in the line of duty.
American Legion Post 129 Commander Truman Stearnes said the Jackson County tribute on the Town Square includes a reading of names for every local veteran killed in action from World War I to the present. Stearnes said the ceremony specifically recognizes those who never made it out of their uniforms as a way to pay respect to those who gave their lives in defense of the country.
“It’s very emotional to most of us because no matter which branch you served in—and boy, we do have some heated conversations amongst us about that, the different branches—but we all just about know someone that didn’t make it home,” Stearnes said. “And so that’s more than just a saying or a catchphrase. That’s an actual relationship, be it a friend, a brother, sister, mother, that didn’t make it home.”
Stearnes said the Jackson County ceremony begins at 1:00pm and features patriotic music performed by the Jackson County band. Despite military veterans making up just five percent of the national population, Stearnes said residents historically shows high levels of respect for veterans. He said many family lineages in the area dating back to the Civil War and Revolutionary War.
“Especially to the younger generation, you know, you hear phrases all the time, ‘freedom isn’t free’ and all this, but they lose their meaning, I think,” Stearnes said.
VFW Post 5062 Commander Ronald Conner said the Overton County event is scheduled for 9:00am at the community center. Conner said the program includes the ringing of a bell, the placement of wreaths, and a presentation from Gold Star Family representative Jennifer Brown.
“There’s a price that paid and it was paid in blood and lives,” Conner said. “And there’s a lot of scars left over, not just from people’s friends of the people who died, but their families, their loved ones. I mean, it was a pretty steep price that was paid and I think it’s the very least we could do is sit for an hour and talk about them, think about them, think about everything else.”
Conner said the Livingston Academy band and JROTC will assist the local honor guard with the posting of the colors. Conner said the ceremony will also feature a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
“I mean, a celebration is something more like July 4th,” Conner said. “Celebrating the independence, us winning our independence, right? And Memorial Day is more to sit and think about the cost of those types of victories.”
Stearnes said the Veterans Hall of Honor museum near the Gainesville square will have a special opening on the day of the tribute. Stearnes said the museum is free to the public and contains military artifacts and items from the Revolutionary War.
“I think it’s very important to remember that that’s the holiday that you remember the veterans that didn’t make it home out of their uniform,” Stearnes said. “And that it’s a great time to show your respect and honor for those folks. And if you think about it, they’re the reason that we do enjoy the barbecues and get to spend time with our families and worship where we want, or if we even want.”
Meantime American Legion Post 46 will honor Putnam County Veterans at the courthouse with a laying of the wreath ceremony on Monday morning at 11am..
