Hundreds pay tribute to fallen heroes at Ga. Veterans Memorial Cemetery

May 30—American flags proudly waved in the light winds that blew over the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Milledgeville as hundreds of people remembered fallen military heroes buried there in a Memorial Day ceremony Monday.

"This is a day that we honor all of our great heroes, our veterans who have laid down their lives and given the ultimate sacrifice for you and me, so we could live in this great country," said Linda Lavender, director of the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery. "In this world, we owe it all to our heroes."

A hushed crowd was later asked to pause and read silently the names of active-duty fallen military men and women from Georgia who have died since Memorial Day 2022.

They were referred to as "Our Fallen Heroes."

"This cemetery was dedicated to the veterans of Georgia in December 2001," Lavender said. "Since that time, over 5,137 veterans, spouses and independents have been laid to rest here. From last Memorial Day until this day, we had 291 veterans.

"Let's remember their courage, and their dedication to our country, and that it will not be forgotten."

The colors were later presented by members of the Baldwin County High School Junior Navy ROTC. Takosha Swan, who serves as vice-chairwoman of the Georgia Veterans Service Board and who also was guest speaker, sang the National Anthem. Joe Kump, who is a deputy sheriff in both Wilkinson and Putnam counties, and who is affiliated with The Knights of Columbus, led the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.

Lavender introduced Ms. Swan.

"She's a very busy lady with many talents," Lavender said of Swan. "Ms. Swan is a veteran herself and she strives to be an advocate for other veterans."

"Today, I want to speak about living," Swan said. "Today, I want to speak about the Veterans Anthem. At one time, our anthem may have been a guide for our country. Somebody needs to carry that torch. So, today I would like to speak about living for our country."

Swan said she has realized along her life's journey that she has been subconsciously, nationally and not even aware for a very long time that she was studying, researching and actually in the act of learning how live.

"Learning how to stay alive, and not just to survive, but to thrive," Swan said.

While in Iraq in 2003, she recalled some soldiers coming to her and talking about starting a choir.

"That choir would keep me mentally sane," Swan said.

The choir was some place she could thrive, as well as other service members, despite being in the middle of a desert and a war zone.

"It was something inspiring that we had to look forward to each week in the middle of a desert," Swan said. "I took on the purpose and the mission to keep our minds on living and not dying. Somebody has to carry the torch."

The same was true after the military. It was about learning to live all over again, she said.

Swan confessed that such had been challenging, but yet a beautiful journey.

"It is moments like these that make it beautiful," Swan said. "It's moments like these, writing and composing Veterans Anthem."

She later performed that song for the crowd. Swan said sharing that song with veterans, service members and their families was truly what helps make life beautiful.

"It's a mission and a purpose that has been bestowed upon me, and allowed me to carry the torch," Swan said.

She asked those in the crowd how they carry their own torch.

"What does you torch look like?" Swan asked.

Julia Harris, who works as a financial advisor over the HOPE scholarship program at Georgia College & State University, was one of many Milledgeville residents who attended the special event.

"I've been coming since 2008 when I moved to Milledgeville," Harris said. "I grew up near Hinesville near Fort Stewart. I grew up watching the military men and women run every morning, and it always inspired me to serve my country."

She was selected to go to the U.S. Naval Academy and served during a summer seminar.

"I was one of 100 people and considered myself very lucky to go," Harris recalled. "But the last day I decided I wasn't good enough."

Harris said she still regrets that decision in her life. Nevertheless she still pays tribute to the men and women of the military who helped defend our country and make us all free men and women today in America.

She said a lot of her friends' fathers served in the military and fought in Iraq.

"And my own brother-in-law also served in the Army right after 9-11," Harris said. "He was at West Point before the war. I've just always had a great appreciation for the military and wanted to serve myself."

Harris said she understands how difficult it must have been for so many American families whose loved ones served in the military and how many of them didn't make it back home.

"Since I didn't serve as I had planned, I look at this as my way of remembering what so many did to help make our country the great nation it is today," said Harris, wiping away tears as she talked.

After the ceremony, taps was played aloud with many in the crowd shedding tears. Others made their way around the large cemetery to visit the graves of loved ones buried there as American military heroes.