Many were dressed proudly in uniforms as a large group of veterans, their spouses, families and friends gathered at the Fred L. Ginter American Legion Post 168 on Monday to pay tribute to soldiers — past and present — during the annual Memorial Day Observance.
The large crowd sat solemn as Tom Hickey opened the ceremony by playing “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes.
The honor guard from Chapter 789 of the Vietnam Veterans of American posted flags and the audience recited the pledge of allegiance and sang the national anthem.
But it was an emotional speech by guest speaker Col. Todd A. Buchs, garrison commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, that brought many in the audience to tears Buchs, himself, choked back tears as he paid tribute to those who have fallen in previous wars, those that have died in Iraq and those who are currently fighting the war against “tyranny and terror.”
Buchs closed with a message of hope, stating there will soon be a day when there would not be a need to plant a tree on Warriors Walk on Fort Stewart.
A standing ovation followed his speech and many wiped away the tears as they bowed their heads for a moment of prayer followed by American Legion Post 168 Commander Guido Knapp leading everyone in “God Bless America.”
The ceremony concluded with Hickey playing a memorial, TAPS on the trumpet.
The large crowd sat solemn as Tom Hickey opened the ceremony by playing “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes.
The honor guard from Chapter 789 of the Vietnam Veterans of American posted flags and the audience recited the pledge of allegiance and sang the national anthem.
But it was an emotional speech by guest speaker Col. Todd A. Buchs, garrison commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, that brought many in the audience to tears Buchs, himself, choked back tears as he paid tribute to those who have fallen in previous wars, those that have died in Iraq and those who are currently fighting the war against “tyranny and terror.”
Buchs closed with a message of hope, stating there will soon be a day when there would not be a need to plant a tree on Warriors Walk on Fort Stewart.
A standing ovation followed his speech and many wiped away the tears as they bowed their heads for a moment of prayer followed by American Legion Post 168 Commander Guido Knapp leading everyone in “God Bless America.”
The ceremony concluded with Hickey playing a memorial, TAPS on the trumpet.