Memorial Day a day of remembrance, not celebration

Memorial Day. A day unlike any other holiday celebrated in this country, according to former senator Charles Hawkins, who was the keynote speaker at the annual Memorial Day service at Lee Street National Cemetery on Sunday.

“Everything else we do, we celebrate something,” Hawkins told a crowd of about 200. “On Veterans Day, we celebrate veterans; on Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Lord. But on Memorial Day, we remember those who sacrificed everything that they could offer for this country when they answered the call of duty.”

Hawkins said the loss of all the people listed on the walls of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Veterans Memorial runs deeper than simply losing the individual.

“Each name etched on those stones represents more than a name, because it’s a faceless name when you just look at them,” Hawkins said. “But remember not just that person — it’s a baby not born, it’s wedding vows not taken, it’s that discovery not made. We, as a society, have paid a much greater price by the loss of these individuals.”

Hawkins said the simplicity of the National Cemetery’s matching, white headstones gives it elegance, and drives home the price paid by those laid to rest there.

“Look at the stones — all about the same size, regardless of rank, regardless of war, because everyone here paid the same price: death that they paid for this country,” Hawkins said.

The ceremony started with comments from Lee Mayberry, Adjutant of American Legion Post 325, which sponsored the event in cooperation with the Danville Area Veterans Council.

The ceremony included Posting of the Colors by about 10 local veterans’ organizations, patriotic songs sung by the Oakland United Methodist Church Praise Team and placement of wreaths by the Ladies Auxiliaries of American Legion Posts 29, 325, 1097 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 647.

A somber ending to the service was signaled by a 21-gun salute by the American Legion Post 1097 Honor Guard, lead by Capt. Harold Reynolds, followed by Echo Taps, played by buglers Jack Estlow and Ed Tillen.

An assortment of patriotic songs ushered guests in and out of the event, played by Tim Carpenter on the bagpipes.

“Too quickly, when the guns are silent and our troops are home, we forget,” Hawkins said. “We forget, we go on to other things. But remember, without that blood that was spilled in defense of this nation, we would not be here, and we must remember that as the next generation comes of age.”

Contact Denice Thibodeau at dthibodeau@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7985.