Annual Memorial Day Tribute

Memorial Day May 28th, 2012 On Monday, May 28th, the Hall County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, assisted by the Gainesville Police Department Honor Guard, will hold their 6th annual Memorial Day Celebration. The event will begin at midnight, Sunday, May 27th with the posting of an armed Honor Guard member marching in the Veterans Section of Memorial Park Cemetery. Deputies and Officers will march in 45 minute shifts during the entire 24 hour Memorial Day period in the Veterans' section of the cemetery. The public is welcome to visit at any time during this period to view the changing of the guard, which will occur every 45 minutes during the hours of darkness and every 30 minutes during hours of light. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM in the Veterans section of the cemetery. The key note speaker will be LTC Bob O'Brien, United States Army, Commander of 5th Ranger Training Battalion in Dahlonega. During the service Sheriff Steve Cronic will recognize PFC Sean Adams, United States Marine Corps. PFC Adams, a 2011 Chestatee High School graduate, was serving in Afghanistan earlier this year when he was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device. The program will also include a flag retirement ceremony for worn and tattered United States Flags. United States Code requires flags that are no longer serviceable to be destroyed by fire in an appropriate ceremony and the ashes buried in a place of honor. The Honor Guard will conduct a ceremony for these symbols of our nation so that they may be disposed of in a dignified manner. We hope the public will join us on this special occasion as we pay tribute to those intrepid Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom. For more information please call 770-287-8227 or visit memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.