By Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
See photo gallery below.
Under a beautiful sky, the annual Prattville Memorial Day Service took place this morning in front of the Autauga County Courthouse. This event is co-sponsored each ear by the American Legion Post 122 and the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1349.
American Legion Post 122 Commander Pro-Tem Charles Marsh served as Master of Ceremonies for the day’s event. Lynette Bales, President of the FWS Post 1349 Auxiliary led the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem. Commander Marsh recognized many local and state officials in the audience and thanked them for attending.
He then asked veterans, their families and family members who have lost loved ones in the defense of the nation. He extended special recognition to Gold Star family members.
The guest speaker for the ceremony was American Legion Department of Alabama, Commander Willie Rogers. Other special guests included Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1349 Janice Harris, President of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1349 Auxiliary Lynette Bales, Compatriot Allen Herrod and Compatriot Skip Dotherow of the General John Archer Elmore Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, and American Legion Riders.
Commander Marsh then addressed the crowd again, and during his time, he issued a challenge to the audience. “Everything you do of your own free will, do it in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives to make it possible.”
Prattville Mayor Gillespie addressed the crowd, saying, in part, “We remember the soldier who never returned home, the sailor lost at sea, the airman whose flight will never soar again. We remember the families left behind, who have borne the weight of loss with grace and courage. And we remember that every name etched in stone, every flag placed in reverence, represents a life of valor and a legacy of duty.
“Let us not take for granted the freedoms we enjoy each day—the right to speak freely, to worship, to pursue our dreams. These are gifts bought with great sacrifice. So today, as we gather in the quiet of remembrance, may we also commit ourselves to live in a way that honors their sacrifice—by being good stewards of our community, by supporting our veterans and military families, and by never forgetting the price of our liberty.”
Commander Rogers than addressed the crowd, opening with, “A great philosopher once said, ‘the bravest are those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet, notwithstanding, go out to meet.’”
He said that since the first shots of the Revolutionary War began, American men and women have entered our nation’s call to duty. He asked everyone to live up to the ideals those men and women so valiantly defended. He said it is possible to turn grief into a positive action.
Notably, he said veterans have started charities, mentored youth, advocated for social justice, all to honor the memories of the fallen comrades, and positively impact the community.
He asked for prayers for the wives, husbands and other family members who remained on the home front giving their all to maintain their families.
The ceremony then recognized a table and empty chair, symbolizing the members of the armed forces that are missing from all ranks. They are referred to as POWs and MIAs.
The table was adorned with a white cloth, symbolic of the purity of their intentions. A single rose in a vase signifies the blood they may have shed in their sacrifice to ensure freedom.
A red ribbon the vase represents the determination for proper accounting of comrades who are not now among us. A slice of lemon reminds all of their bitter fate. Salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The glass is inverted, as they cannot toast at this time. The chair is empty, as they are not here. The candle is a reminder of hope, that families will one day be reunited. The American flag is a reminder of those who never returned and paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure freedom.
After this, Compatriots Allen Herrod and Skip Dotherow placed wreaths on memorials to veterans on the courthouse law, joined by Commander Harris and Mayor Gillespie. The audience was then asked to stand for the presentation of TAPS. At the end of the ceremony, all present were invited back to the American Legion Post 122 for a reception and lunch.
See the photo gallery below of the day’s events and luncheon.
Thank you to everyone who attended the event today and made it possible with a lot of hard work. May we always remember the fallen on Memorial Day.
