By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Editor
MOUNT VERNON – Memorial Day was celebrated in the usual way thanks to the locals who make up the patriotic memorial committee. The parade proceeded down East High Street featuring veterans, elected officials, police and fire vehicles, baton twirlers, cub scouts, girl scouts, softball players, the MVHS band, beautiful horses and more. The theme this year was “Home of the Free because of the Brave.” The grand marshals were Lloyd Carpenter, representing the U.S. Army, and Robert Carpenter, representing the the U.S. Air Force.
Following the parade, a ceremony was held on the Public Square emceed by U.S. Army veteran Dave Bevington. The invocation was given by Vietnam veteran pastor Richard Hite. the Armed Forces Medley was played by the MVHS band. Wreaths were placed at the foot of the Civil War monument by two members of the Knox County Career Center JROTC class and two members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace was played by Ginny Cameron amd Gary McCutcheon. The Heritage Singers provided patriotic songs.
The featured speaker was Brigadier General (Retired) Mark C. Arnold. He urged the crowd to take action to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. He suggested that they visit a cemetery and place flags or flowers on the graves of fallen heroes, fly the American flag or the P.O.W. flag, or do something helpful for a disabled veteran, widow or orphans. He also urged saying a prayer for the families of veterans. He concluded his remarks by asking everyone to repeat, “I do not forget.”
Amvets Memorial Post #95 provided a rifle salute. Taps was played and the ceremony concluded.
The Department of Defense reports that so far in the Global War on terror 6,852 U.S. military service personnel have been killed. In Vietnam that number was 58, 193 and in World War II 116, 516.
The Patriotic Memorial Committee is made up of M. E. Carpenter, Thom Collier, John Francis, Kevin Hentorn, John Lybarger, Richard Mavis, and Lt. Col. Chris Salvucci.