Local community honors fallen service members

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Service members, past and present, and the local community gathered to honor fallen military members during the American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony at the Destin Memorial Cemetery, Destin, Fla., May 26, 2014.

Memorial Day is a national holiday held to honor those who have died in service to their country. The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day and was recognized on May 30. It is now commemorated on the last Monday in May.

The ceremony included a presentation of the colors, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, a T-6 Texan fly-over and a rifle salute accompanied by the playing of "Taps" by a Eglin Air Force Base Honor Guard bugler.

Lt. Col. James Beaty, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron commander, was the guest speaker for the event.

"Thank you for taking the time today to remember our nation's heritage and the heroes of the past who bravely fought for our freedom," said Beaty. "Their hard work built a strong military, more formidable and respected than any other industry."

The Master of Ceremony introduced local community members to veterans of previous conflicts attending the event. Mike Berardi, a Korean War Veteran, took a moment to speak to those in attendance.

"It's nice to receive tribute on this day, but this day is really for all those service members who didn't come back," said Berardi. "Their sacrifices are the pillar of this great nation."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, all past and present service members were given a standing ovation for their dedication and contribution to this country.