Memorial Day 2023: Remembering the fallen

Franklin Countians gathered at Midway Cemetery under gray skies on Sunday, May 28 to remember local fallen soldiers in a commemorative service hosted by the area’s American Legion Post 40 and its Auxiliary.

After a word of prayer by Brother Tony Mullins of Hopewell Baptist Church, Auxiliary Secretary Melinda Bradford led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Savannah Arnold — who is the daughter of Shane and Angel Arnold — singing the National Anthem.

Jimmy Dale Partin spoke to those gathered about the sacrifices military men and women have given at the altar of freedom.

“I would like for us, on this Memorial Day, to focus on the people we see on this list here who gave their lives in service to their country,” Partin said.

“I would like for us to think about, ‘Why did they die?’ What did they give their lives for? Each of these service members took the oath of enlistment when they joined whatever branch they participated in. This oath will likely remind us the core reasons why they gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“The oath reads as follows: ‘I, (their name), do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.’

“Since the formation of our country, military personnel have sworn this oath. Those that have sacrificed their lives have done so to protect and uphold the Constitution, the ideals penned in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights that is found in the Constitution.

“Many have also sacrificed their lives to protect their brothers and sisters that have fought alongside them — they gave their sacrifice to perhaps save a co-warrior. And many others gave their lives not only for their country, but for the Lord Jesus Christ, because they were believers and they did what they felt the Lord led them to do.”

Partin’s remarks were followed by the placing of a patriotic wreath at the county’s war memorial. Legion Commander Grady Fleming then read the list of names of Franklin County soldiers who had given their lives for their country.

The service was concluded by the playing of Taps with echo, as peformed by Franklin County students Andrew Berryhill and Marianna Cothren.