By CAROLYN DRYER, Editor

From the clear, resonating voice of Vanessa Yates-McGlothan singing “God Bless America” to the personal stories of soldiers who talked about their fallen comrades, those who participated during the annual Memorial Day service at Resthaven Park Cemetery paid tribute to all who gave everything they had to give.

About 250 to 300 people attended the ceremony, where State Rep. Debbie Lesko recounted her visit with women who celebrated Rosie the Riveter Day in Sun City last Saturday. At that celebration, Lesko said she met a veteran of the Vietnam War who did not want to talk about his experience; it saddened him too much.

Lesko said, “If we do nothing else today, we should honor the sacrifice; honor all veterans; honor active duty troops; and we – you and I – need to work each and every day to preserve the freedom and principles those veterans fought to preserve.”

Derringer Martinez, general manager of West Resthaven Cemetery and Funeral Home, said we should remember all of our soldiers who have died in battle.

“If we forget the soldiers who died to defend our freedoms, we’ll forget what freedom is,” Martinez said.

Chaplain Colonel Daniel J. Butler, U.S. Army National Guard, said he never gave much thought to Memorial Day when he was a young boy, and it was not until later in life he learned of the “awful and gruesome” realities of war. …read more