Memorial Day: Gratitude and remembrance in DeLand
DELAND — Mel Rollins, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, saluted as a bugler played "Taps" Monday morning at Veterans Park & Gardens at Bill Dreggors Park.
Dressed in his ceremonial U.S. Marine Corps uniform, Rollins said he attended the Memorial Day event to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in battle. Rollins, who did not experience combat, said Memorial Day was significant to him because as a former training officer at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, he trained many men and women who were deployed overseas.
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"Many of them didn't come back," Rollins said. "Today is a special day to remember those that I initially served with, who paid the ultimate price and are not with us today."
And for those who do not have families who died in war, especially the younger generation, it is important to teach them of the meaning of Memorial Day, Rollins said.
"Teach them to research history, and to always have pride in the flag of the United States of America," Rollins said.
Day of gratitude
The DeLand event was organized and sponsored by American Legion Orange Baker Post 187. Vice-Commander Rasheeda Denning welcomed veterans, families and friends gathered at the park, which was festooned with American flags.
Denning said the event on Memorial Day was to remember fallen warriors who "have given everything" for their country and to remember that brave men and women have always stepped forward to take the oath of allegiance as members of America's armed forces. Men and women who are willing to fight, and if necessary, die for the sake of freedom, Denning said.
"Memorial Day is about gratitude and remembrance, It is about honoring the men and women who made it possible for us to gather here today in peace," Denning said. "They are truly the guardians of our freedom."
One by one, veterans who fought in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East, stood as they were called.
Glad war was over
Sitting quietly in her motorized wheelchair, Edith Wise waved when Denning asked if there were any veterans of World War II present at the ceremony.
Wise, 99, was also there to pay her respects to America's fallen soldiers.
"I was with WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services," Wise said. "I took care of many sailors who were sick on base and others that did come from some place else."
Wise served in 1943 in Oleta, Kansas, and was also a recipient of the Ruptured Duck pin for honorable discharge.
Edith Wise's memory of World War II?
"We were just glad the war was over," she said.
Near Edith, a unit of the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment 1144 and VFW Post 2380 presented a rifle salute by firing their guns in the air followed by the playng of "Taps" by a bugler.
Solemn holiday
Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General William C. Feyk, the keynote speaker of the event, spoke about service, sacrifice and remembrance. He also shared with the community a brief summary of the beginnings of Memorial Day, designated to honor soldiers who had fallen in battle, he said.
"The national holiday we mark this morning is not about the start of the summer vacation season, planning family barbecues, yet another mattress sale," Feyk said. "This day represents our most solemn of national holidays. A day when citizens and towns across the nation pause to reflect upon, honor and remember those men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in service to this country. We come here this morning not to mourn them but to remember and praise them."
Glenn Pennell, who was visiting from Alabama, agreed with Feyk that Memorial Day is a time to honor those American heroes who paid the ultimate price.
"(It's a day ) . . . to show respect to the people who didn't make it back," Pennell said.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLand Memorial Day event paid respect to those who died in battle.
