Flagler County residents observed Memorial Day at events in Palm Coast’s Heroes Memorial Park, the Government Services Building in Bunnell and Flagler Beach City Hall with solemn prayers, patriotic music and a message not to forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“There are empty chairs at our dinner tables, empty beds in our bedrooms and empty places in our hearts,” said Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. “They died so you and I can celebrate our freedoms.”
Speaking at the Heroes Memorial Park observance in Palm Coast, Flagler County Veteran Services Officer David Lydon said to truly honor those who died in service to the country, Americans should embrace the freedom to disagree and dissent, but must do so “with civility and respect for one another." He reminded those attendance “that we must not take our freedoms for granted (and) that we use it with responsibility.”
U.S. Rep Ron DeSantis offered brief remarks at the Palm Coast observance and suggested that visitors to Washington D.C. not only see the traditional sites — the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and National Mall — but also make a special visit to Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia.
“To me, that is the best monument we have to offer as a country,” he said.
At Flagler County’s observance outside the Government Services Building in Bunnell, Steve Shuga, Florida state commander of the American Legion, recalled the sacrifice of men and women in service to the nation and the Gold Star families they left behind.
“We tend to forget about these folks,” he said, referring to Gold Star families. “It’s up to us to hear the voices of these families.”
At Flagler Beach’s ceremony, held in the City Commission chambers, keynote speaker retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Jonathon Hubbert spoke of the nation’s commitment to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
“I’m speaking on behalf of those who have fallen in service to our country,” he said. “If we don’t protect the reputation of those people who have died, why would we protect the reputation of those who currently serve? Treating all of the families who have experienced loss is important to me. If we don’t recognize that the function of the loss of the service member to its family is a loss in heroic circumstances, we will tend, as a society and a culture to mitigate that loss and not give it the respect that it deserves.”
— Correspondent Danielle Anderson contributed to this report.