Residents of Zephyrhills gathered Monday morning to honor fallen military service members in a moving Memorial Day ceremony held at the city’s Oakside Cemetery.
Under clear blue skies with the temperature climbing to near 90, more than 120 people gathered for a special service that was highlighted by a touching tribute of placing carnations on a memorial wreath.
Zephyrhills Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson delivered a power keynote speech stressing the importance of teaching the children the history of Zephyrhills and the sacrifices its citizens made serving their country for their freedoms.
“If we don’t teach these youth the importance of these people, then how are they going to know,” Monson said. “It is our job to teach them.
“Society likes to use the word hero,” Monson said. “There are many types of heroes – sports heroes, action heroes, family heroes, political heroes, but is there any group more deserving of the title of hero than the more than one million men and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of this nation.”
Monson explained that Oakside Cemetery is the final resting place of veterans of six wars and Memorial Day should be celebrated 365 day a year.
“The veterans we are surrounded by and the veterans standing before you are the heroes,” Monson said. “They are the ones who should be recognized and remembered not just on Memorial Day, but every day.”
VFW Post 8154 Commander Russ Oney served as the Master of Ceremonies. Reverend Kevin Heaton of the Zephyrhills Church of Christ delivered the invocation and benediction. The Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and God Bless America were led by Rod Rehrig of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1124.
The rifle salute to the fallen and the playing of “Taps” was delivered by the VFW Post 8154 Honor Guard. The Civil Air Patrol of Zephyrhills presented and retired the colors.