Hundreds of people attended the annual Memorial Day event in Franklin on Monday, gathering among white crosses painted with names of fallen service members to pay their respects and listen to a message of remembrance.
Residents paused on Memorial Day to remember those who have died to protect loved ones and strangers, Rev. Peter Jessen said.
Sheriff Duane Burgess honored a fallen reserve deputy who died in the line of duty 20 years ago on today. Burgess honored Tracy Miles by presenting his wife with a plaque to remind her that they had not forgotten him, Burgess said.
“Tracy was dedicated to the sheriff’s department and the most important part, Tracy was a reserve and he did it for free,” Burgess said at the event. “It was an honor working with Tracy.”
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The Franklin Community Band played patriotic songs, including “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Command Sgt. Major Tim White has received numerous awards throughout his service, including the President of the United States Certificate of Merit for lifesaving and was a guest speaker at the event. He spoke of Major Brent Taylor who was killed on his fourth deployment in Afghanistan. Labels such as Democrat or Republican matter little when in combat.
“Politics are irrelevant to a family who hears the words ‘We regret to inform you,’” White said.
People gather on the Johnson County Courthouse lawn on Memorial Day to honor the memory of fallen warriors, he said.
“We do not remember our fallen brothers and sisters in arms because of an edict or an obligatory ritual, we do so because we want to,” White said. “And we want to be there for the families long after the battlefield guns have been silenced and the bombs have stopped exploding. The children of our fallen soldiers will still be missing a parent. Spouses will be missing their life partners. And parents will never stop grieving for their heroic sons and daughters who died way too young.”
Auxiliaries from the Franklin American Legion and Whiteland VFM, a Daughters of American Revolution Chapter and Franklin Elks Lodge placed memorial wreaths. Taps was played and a rifle salute was done to honor the fallen.
“This event helps the community to remember and to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country,” Sen. Todd Young said. “Thanks to their heroism, we have our freedom…. Memorial Day is a day to reflect.”
