Southwest Georgians pause and reflect on Memorial Day
American Legion breakfast, Field of Crosses among the holiday events
By Jennifer Parks
ALBANY — Originating as Decoration Day in 1868, Memorial Day on the last Monday of May offers Americans an opportunity to remember those who have died protecting their nation’s freedom and ideals.
And early on Monday, many in the Albany did just that at American Legion Post 30.
At the post’s annual Memorial Day breakfast and flag-raising, there was recognition of current service members and veterans in the Albany area. Recognition was made by military branch and by conflict, with the U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam War veterans the most represented at the event.
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, was among those at the head table on Monday. The Second District congressman took the occasion to say it was fitting to remember those who paid the ultimate price, and expressed gratitude for that sacrifice.
“Freedom is not free,” he said. “It is paid for by the sacrifice of men and women in the armed forces. We are here today to honor those who gave the sacrifice of full measure.”
Capt. Joseph Garcia, deputy director of maintenance at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, was accompanied at the breakfast by his wife and son. He spoke on the relevance of the U.S. Constitution and the Gettysburg Address to American history, and told the story of a fellow Marine who — in the course of his duties — died in Afghanistan, even as he managed to save some of his comrades in the process, including Garcia.
Moments like that serve as a sober reminder for Garcia of the gravity of the oath he took upon his enlistment to protect the nation’s interests. Such reminders have been present since the nation’s Founding Fathers took a leap of faith by declaring America’s independence and establishing the framework of freedom it has today.
“Freedom is a gift and it has to be earned,” he said. “It has to be earned every day. We have to fight for our freedom.”
Having served overseas, Garcia said he knows it is not always clear what the country’s armed forces will encounter until they get to where they are going. It is known, however, that the price will be paid, at least for some, in blood.
He closed out his remarks by referring to a quote from Gen. George S. Patton Jr. relevant to the holiday: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
“For them, I am and will be eternally grateful,” Garcia said.
Leading up to Memorial Day, the American Legion post along with other local veterans groups placed the Field of Crosses outside the Albany Mall. Each of the 146 crosses had an American flag attached to it, and each was inscribed with the name of an individual from Dougherty or Lee County who has died in military service to the nation dating to World War I.
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