Soldiers' sacrifices remembered at Memorial Day observation

Yahoo

28-05-2025

Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes says he often has to explain to people the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Estes was one of the speakers at Monday's Memorial Day ceremony in Broadway. The ceremony was moved inside to American Legion Post 347 because of rain, but that didn't dampen the crowd. More than 100 packed the Legion to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
'Over the years, I've had to explain the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day to people,' Estes said. 'This is the easiest way I can think of to explain it — I want all of the veterans in the audience to stand up. I want to give them a round of applause. So on veterans day and every day, we can celebrate them for being here. On Memorial Day, we would celebrate the same people that just stood up if one thing would have changed in their lives. If they would have turned a different way or they would have driven a car in a different direction or if someone had taken a different shot, they wouldn't be here today. To me, that's the easiest way to explain it to people. The difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is that we would have been celebrating with these heroes if one thing would have been different.'
The ceremony began with the crowd reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before joining Cindy Buchanan in singing the National Anthem. Pastor Eddie Thomas of Juniper Spring Baptist Church then gave the invocation.
After Estes spoke, Broadway Mayor Donald Andrews welcomed the crowd and shared a few thoughts, including welcoming the members of Trail Life USA, Troop NC-2717, and American Heritage Girls, Trop NC-1715, who would have presented the colors had the ceremony occurred outdoors.
'I saw them out there yesterday practicing, making sure everything was ready to go,' Andrews said. 'I hate that Mother Nature was a little uncooperative.'
Andrews noted that for many, Memorial Day is a three-day weekend to kick off the summer, but for others, it's much more.
'It's a day set aside to remember veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring our freedom,' he said.
Andrews said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
'Vietnam veterans are special to me,' he said. 'As many of you know, my dad served in Vietnam. The Vietnam War divided our country. Nonetheless, the men and women who volunteered — or were drafted — carried out orders that our country asked of them. They did not come home to ticker tape parades or celebrations. It's only been in the last 20 years or so that we tried to correct that oversight.'
Andrews said, of the more than 58,000 troops killed in Vietnam, 1,600 were from North Carolina and 14 from Lee County. He also shared a list of their names.
'These brave men and women we honor today, some whose names are listed on the memorial wall down the street, answered the call from their country and defended the freedoms and liberties that we are enjoying today. They come from farms, small towns and large cities. Their diversity spans all demographics. When asked to defend this nation, they stood strong in the face of tyranny. I would ask that if you gather later with family and friends, please take a moment to remember them and the 1,354,000 Americans who died defending this country. They made the ultimate sacrifice.'
Charles Parks was the final speaker. He served in the Marine Corps.
Parks gave a brief history of Memorial Day, which was known as Decoration Day.
'On May 26, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation that recognized the tradition of preserving the tradition of what had begun 100 years before,' Parks said. 'Most of you here today recognize the importance of this day to remember the sacrifices that have been made to keep our nation free.'
Parks said he has concerns that as older veterans and citizens become complacent, young people do not realize the sacrifices that have been made.
'We are slowly losing factual history,' he said. 'I find that a lot of young people disrespect our flag and those who have served. We are not teaching them to love and respect our nation. They are not being taught that history — real history.'
Parks then shared the story of a book that included the story of one of his wife's uncles, who was killed in World War II.
'My wife and her sisters, who were born after he was killed, knew nothing but a picture and a name until two years ago, when we found a book that had almost a total history of his life in the service. After his sister passed, we found this book — for uncle John Burleson.'
The book contained information about his service as a medic.
'If they had not made the effort, we would not know anything about his service,' Parks said, noting that Burleson landed on Omaha Beach a month after D-Day and worked to take care of the wounded until he was killed in France.
Parks concluded by telling the crowd that they need to pass down their stories to preserve the history for future generations.
'There is no reason not to have recorded history,' he said. 'We have multiple avenues to record your history.'