The Cornelia VFW held its annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at VFW Memorial Park in Demorest Monday morning. Approximately 80 veterans, family, and friends attended the ceremony to remember those who gave all in service to our nation.
During the ceremony, the Grant-Reeves singers performed the National Anthem and God Bless America.
Grant-Reeves VFW Commander Bill Miles introduced the guest speaker for the ceremony, Matthew Ramey.
A tradition is born
Ramey is a member of Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 and serves as the Post’s Judge Advocate and historian. He served in the military for 18 and a half years. Ramey’s service included five years in the U.S. Navy and 13 and a half years in the Army National Guard.
Ramey left the military due to injuries he sustained in operations while serving in Afghanistan. He lives with his family in Mt. Airy and works for Habersham County.
During his time in the military, Ramey served 30 months of combat duty. He served in the Gulf War, Iraqi Freedom, and Afghanistan. Other assignments included peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo.
He addressed the audience with a brief history of the early beginnings of what we now know as Memorial Day. It started as Decoration Day in 1866 in Waterloo, New York, when Henry Wells suggested that all businesses close for the day to honor those who have died for our freedoms. Local widows decorated the graves with fresh wildflowers. The townspeople made wreaths and crosses to place on headstones and proudly flew the town’s flags at half-staff.
An American tradition was born.
Freedom’s price
“I stand before you on this proud day of remembrance and ask you to join me, not only remembering those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of this country but to truly reflect upon their legacy,” said Ramey. “There has been no other nation on the Earth that has paid the price that we have paid in the cause of freedom.”
During his address, Ramey mentioned the military service members throughout history and the sacrifices they’ve made.
“In an attempt to pay back our debt as American citizens, we must not only remember the fallen, it is our responsibility to teach the youth. Nothing, nothing is given freely. Everything comes with a cost.”
He continued, “I would be remiss not mentioning the families. They, too, paid a price. They, too, have suffered. They, too, should be proud. They’ve earned our gratitude.”
Miles continued the ceremony with the tolling of the bell for the fallen soldiers in each armed conflict in American history.
The VFW Honor Guard paid tribute with a 21-gun salute and taps.
‘Just something I do’
After the ceremony ended and those in attendance departed, a lone gentleman with bagpipes appeared at the obelisk and began playing Amazing Grace. His name is Evan Kohler-Camp. He is not affiliated with the VFW.
“It’s just something I do,” he told Now Habersham.
Kohler-Camp plays for special ceremonies on Memorial Day at the VFW Cemetery as well as at the Wall of Honor in Cornelia.
Daniel and Amanda Almond of Cleveland, Georgia, attended Monday’s ceremony in Demorest. He is a Marine Corps veteran, having served three tours in Iraq during his eight years of military service. Monday was the first time he’d attended a ceremony like this in Northeast Georgia. He said it’s all about “remembering the fallen.”
Organizers pleased with turnout
Organizers were pleased with how many people showed up for the ceremony. Miles said the turnout “was great.”
Local funeral home director and veterans advocate Larry Whitfield has attended numerous ceremonies of this type at the Wall of Honor in Cornelia and VFW Memorial Park. As he scanned the crowd Monday, he said it was “one of the greatest turnouts” that he has ever seen.
People came from different places and different backgrounds, united for one purpose – to honor those who paid the ultimate price for their freedom.
“All of these folks have sacrificed to make this a free country for us, and that’s why we all enjoy the freedom we are enjoying today cause of the sacrifice of these people.”
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