HENDERSONVILLE - Although rain kept the 38th annual Memorial Day service from happening at its usual Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park location, the event went on indoors at American Legion Post 77 May 27.
Master of Ceremonies Shuford Edmisten, who is the treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14 and recipient of the 2021 Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in Community Service Award, welcomed those who gathered at the post for the service.
"Today we honor more than 1 million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while serving in wars and missions since the American Revolution," Edmisten said. "They were brothers and sisters of arms, but also brothers and sisters bonded by sacrifice."
The 2024 ceremony was dedicated to Jon Laughter, Tony Case, Edward Gosnell, Wiley Bingham and all fallen military service members of Henderson County. Around 100 people attended the event.
Several speakers addressed the crowd throughout the ceremony.
John Knapp said that there are more than 1,300 veterans interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, the original location of the ceremony.
He said, four years ago, he and Edmisten, along with a few others, began bringing Wreaths Across America to Henderson County. The first year, 30 wreaths were distributed to graves at Forest Lawn. The next year, 70 wreaths were distributed and last year 300 wreaths were distributed. He said the goal this year is between 500 and 700 wreaths.
Wreaths Across America is a national program that allows for fallen veterans to be honored by placing a wreath on their graves. Wreaths can be purchased by family members, or anyone may purchase a wreath to go on a grave. This year, wreaths will be distributed Dec. 14.
Bob Johnson spoke of the importance of Memorial Day. He said it is often a day to signal the beginning of summer and the day is "bittersweet."
"Those that we honor, the fallen, would want for us to continue our lives with happiness and value," Johnson said. "The day is bittersweet. Still, we should never forget the sacrifices of the fallen and that of their families. Nobody wants to die for their country, but we cannot remain free unless our servicemen are willing to put their lives on the line to take that risk."
Henderson County Veterans Service Officer Brent Embry said the support for the military community in the county is "overwhelming."
"I'm also humbled and believe it's an honor to be able to meet with families of those who lost their lives in service of our country," Embry said. "As you all know, that's why we're here today. That's who we honor."
Embry also spoke of the history of Memorial Day, which dates back to the Civil War when he said 2.1% of the country's population died in the war. The origins of Memorial Day started as Decoration Day, a day each year where veterans graves would be decorated. This day was merged with other state Memorial Days to create the Memorial Day as it is known today.
Edmisten thanked those who attended the ceremony and said that he appreciates that those in attendance, especially the "young people," that could have been "anywhere today," but chose to be at the Memorial Day cermony.
The ceremony closed with the traditional placing of wreaths, a gun salute from the Henderson County Honor Guard and closing remarks from Edmisten.
"We all remember who stands ready to protect our freedom," Edmisten said. "It's up to us to honor them."
Karrigan Monk is the reporter for Black Mountain News and Hendersonville Times-News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com.
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