By Lizzy Donker, BCN intern.

Every year Americans have Memorial Day to honor those who have died fighting for our country. We take this day to remember those who we have lost, and this year was no different at the Richmond Hill Memorial Day ceremony this past Monday.

The ceremony was held at J.F. Gregory Park, and was especially significant, as Mayor Russ Carpenter pointed out, because there was no ceremony last year due to the pandemic.

The ceremony featured words from servicemen such as Col. Terry Tillis.

Tillis said he is nothing more than “a dog-faced soldier, nothing flashy,” and said as military and as Americans “this is who we are”.

He declared Memorial Day a time to honor those who have lost their lives in battle, and said he will do his best to honor their sacrifice.

Steven Asplund, senior vice commander of Veterans of Foreign War Post 7331, honored some of his fellow comrades who lost their lives fighting for our country.

Asplund said these men woke up one day not knowing they would not live to see the next day, and urged us to remember their names.

To close the ceremony, a wreath was laid to honor and recognize the many men and women who have died fighting for our country, and, like Asplund said, in hopes their names will not be forgotten. 

Though a difficult day for many, “Memorial Day is a time to be reflective,” said Carpenter at the ceremony on Monday. “It’s not so much a celebration, it’s a time to look back and thank and honor those who have payed the ultimate sacrifice.”

Editor’s note: Donker is a rising senior at Richmond Hill High School and an intern at the Bryan County News. This was her first Memorial Day observance.

Photos courtesy city of Richmond Hill.