Murphy – Memorial Day is not a day of celebration, but a day of remembrance to honor our country’s men and women who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
Cherokee County Commissioner Jan Griggs offered that reminder Monday in the downtown veterans park as the keynote speaker of a Memorial Day ceremony put on by the U.S. Marine Corps League, Cherokee Detachment 1011. Griggs retired from the Marines in 2002 after 23 years of active duty.
“Many people often take the freedoms we enjoy for granted, but let us never forget what it takes each and every day for us to keep those freedoms,” she said.
Commandant George Bendzen served as emcee of the ceremony. He thanked the crowd for coming out to honor and pay gratitude to those who have served our country.
“Our gathering is just one small spark in the flames of pride that burn across our nation today and every day,” Bendzen said. “I want to thank the American Legion, VFW, the DAV and AMVETS for their time and participation in today’s Memorial Day ceremony. I also want to thank all first responder personnel, because they serve by rushing into emergency situations while others run away.”
The Marine Corps also held a granite wreath memorial dedication to military personnel earlier that morning at Konehete Park. Bendzen said that was made possible by donations of time and materials provided by local businesses, veterans organizations and other individuals.
Griggs provided a brief history of the beginnings of Memorial Day and its ties to the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history. She also pointed out that 3,530 Medals of Honor have been awarded to 3,511 recipients during the nation’s history – including 65 living recipients – and highlighted a handful of individuals who have received the honor.
Both of Griggs’ parents served in the U.S. Navy, and they taught her the meaning and significance of Memorial Day at a young age. She said she has vivid memories of ceremonies held in her hometown of Omaha, Neb., and the pride her father took in those events each year as a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“They held a ceremony at the Missouri River, and tossed in the wreath of flowers to honor the servicemen and women that had protected our country and our way of life with their death,” Griggs said. “The meaning of this act was forever engraved in my mind. Every medal, a story to be told; every recipient, a part of something greater.”
Chaplain J.D. Baker led the prayers at Monday’s event, while Kim McFarland sang the national anthem. Alyssa Branam played songs including “America the Beautiful.”