Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 115, No. 23	June 4, 2008

Memorial Day 2008: Meade County remembers
A day of salutes, tears

Photos by Larry Curts and Larry See Jr.
Soldiers of the 16th Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Fort Knox, fired off a 21-gun salute during the post’s annual Memorial Day ceremonies. Soldiers, family members and the general public attended.

By LARRY R. CURTS and LARRY SEE JR.
Messenger Staff

Throughout Meade County and the country, citizens paused May 26 to remember soldiers who fought to keep our country free.

“Memorial Day means many things for many people,” Brig. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., the commanding general of the U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox, said.

Campbell keynoted the post’s ceremonies, a moving tribute to those who have served, and are still serving abroad and in the United States.

Locally, a crowd of about 40 people attended the memorial event, coordinated by VFW Post 11404 at the Courthouse.

Below: a crowd of about 40 attended the Brandenburg ceremonies to witness Commander Wilbur Beasley, Chaplain Bill Bassett and Officer of the Day Tom Brady open the event.

Post Commander Wilbur Beasley offered his personal “thanks and praise” for those who served, and still are serving.

Officer of the Day Tom Brady called the veterans to attention and present arms as he led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

At Fort Knox, Campbell said this was a time for Americans to reflect on those freedoms which guaranteed our way of life today.

“Last weekend, I had the opportunity to thank the residents and soldiers at an off-post event,” Campbell said.

“We are the land of the free and the home of the brave because of them. It gave me pleasure to see we were honoring these brave men and women, both here and abroad.”

He mentioned the exploits of two U.S. soldiers, both of whom will receive the Medal of Honor.

One soldier’s remains were sent home late last year, so he could receive a proper burial in Ohio.

The second, Spc. Ross McGinnis of Pennsylvania, will receive his medal June 2, just two weeks before what would have been his 21st birthday.

Photo by Larry Curts
Past ladies auxiliary president Virginia Smiley, presents ladies auxiliary president Gloria Brady and Commander Beasley stand beside the wreath, placed at the Brandenburg veterans’ monument.

While on patrol in Iraq, Spc. McGinnis had a grenade land inside his tank. He warned the others, and after learning they couldn’t escape quickly enough, threw his body on the weapon, which detonated, killing him instantly.

Campbell said had he not done so, all would have died. “Indeed we’re the land of the free because of the brave,” he concluded.

In Brandenburg, Beasley asked ladies auxiliary president Gloria Brady to place the wreath as he placed a flag to honor those who died while serving.

This year’s attendance was the largest in several years, with about 40 veterans, family and friends. Also attending from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs was retired 1st Sgt., USA, Paul Hartless, local veteran’s benefits representative; Judge Executive Harry Craycroft and County Clerk Katrina Fitzgerald.

At Fort Duffield, members of the Sons of the Union Veterans, West Point #1 Chapter, conducted a ceremony.

SUVCW Junior Vice Commander Micah Trent, a Meade County native, participated in the firing demonstration.

“With bowed heads, a solemn tread and voices hushed, we meet to remember our people of their duty to the soldiers and sailors who wore the blue; to the flag for which they fought; to the country for which they died and that it is for us to keep green the memories of their heroic service and unselfish sacrifice,” Trent said.

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