BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
Union County residents came together on May 27, 2024, to honor those who have given their lives in service to their country at the annual Lake Butler American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony, held at the Lake Butler Masonic Lodge and Veterans Memorial on Main St. in Lake Butler.
More than 50 people came out on the warm day to honor our Nation’s fallen. While all were gathering and getting seated, entertainment was provided with patriotic music and a selection of historical quotes pertinent to the occasion.
At 10 a.m. the spectators were welcomed to the event by Brian Reagan, American Legion Post 153 Adjutant, then Union County High School’s JROTC Honor Guard presented the colors.
The Honor Guard members were: Natalie Piggott – Commander, carrying the American Flag, Chloie Harris – carrying the State Flag, Hunter Smith – carrying the American Weapon and Jamaal Reynolds – carrying the State Weapon.
Post 153 Vice-Commander Shawn Newsome then presented a history of Memorial Day, highlighting how the holiday came to be and its meaning.
After this Post 153 Chaplain Gene Gordon offered the invocation.
Boy Scout Troop #140 and Cub Scout Pack #140 then presented the Parade of Services and lead all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Reagan then led the crowd and attending Legion members in the singing of the National Anthem. He then read the list of names of the Union County Names who had given their lives for this country in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and all of the more recent actions in the Middle East. Newsome and veteran Ken Parrish then laid the wreath at the Union County Veterans Memorial.
Newsome resumed the podium and explained the meaning of a small table set on the ground next to the dais on which a place was set.
This was an honoring/remembrance of all of the nation’s POW-MIA soldiers, the men who never made it home. He concluded with thanks to members of the community who had made the American Legion scholarships possible.
U.S.Marine Sgt.Maj. (retired) Jordan Freeland was the guest speaker for the event. According to his biography in the program, Freeland began his military odyssey in Chaco, CA, in Feb. 1998 and retired in Sept. of 2020. His billets include Chief Scout Swimmer, Chief Scout Sniper, FAST Platoon Sergeant, Infantry Platoon Commander, Scout Sniper Platoon Commander, Foreign Advisor Team Commander, Chief SERE Instructor, Infantry Company First Sergeant, Marine Special Operations Company First Sergeant, Marine Special Operations Battalion Sergeant Major, Harrier Squadron Sergeant Major and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Sergeant Major.
Freeland spoke well and with humor about his branch of service, then grew serious (and emotionally affected) by giving a recounting or several American soldiers who lost their lives in recent military actions – talking about their families left behind.
“Not only do we honor our warriors, but we are also keeping their spirit alive,” Freeland said. “I ask that all pray for the families, those who are hurt most. It is our responsibility as communities, Americans, and human beings to honor the fallen and see that they are never forgotten.”
After Freeland finished, Reagan resumed the podium, speaking about the internal conflicts in our country between the government and the military. He quoted a 1970 John Wayne production, made in support of the U.S. Armed Services, in which generals made the comment that the U.S. Congress “would not let us do our jobs.” He stressed the importance of this country’s military, government, and people all being on the same page where the nation’s security was at stake. He also pointed out that, for almost 50 years, the U.S. Military has been made up of volunteers.
“It has been almost 50 years since they abolished the draft,” Reagan said. “Those who serve today do so because they choose to serve.”
Reagan concluded his comments by thanking all who helped make the event possible, including The Lake Butler Church of Christ (tables, chairs, and programs), the Lake Butler Woman’s Club (refreshments and passing out the programs), Lake Butler Mayor David Stegall (online promotion of the event), UCHS JROTC (participation in the event), Sheriff Brad Whitehead and his deputies (for providing traffic control and event security), Lake Butler Cub and Boy Scout packs (participation in the event), Terry’s Florals (for providing the wreath for the memorial) and the Lake Butler VFW (for providing the remembrance poppies).
The event concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Union County High School band member Nathan Pavlisko.
After the American Legion event, the action moved to the Lake Butler VFW Post, where members held an open house and lunch for anyone who wished to attend. About 20 people joined post members and members of the community for lunch and conversation.
