Memorial Day was observed Monday (5/30) at several sites around Tallahassee. One of the yearly ceremonies took place at the city's Oakland Cemetery.
Those who spoke there included Merdis McCracken. Her 21-year old son died in Iraq when a roadside bomb destroyed his vehicle.
"Oh, I've met so many combat veterans and we have that common bond," she told those attending the service. "They also lost loved ones and it takes awhile to heal, but it is possible and they'll never be forgotten and they will always be in our hearts."
Wendy Turney lost her Army husband in a training accident. She now works with vets who escaped the battlefront alive, but carry deep physical and psychological wounds.
"Within this resilient, inspirational, strong and brave group of men and women, we also hear accounts of triumph, victory and most importantly, hope," she said.
Post Thirteen American Legion hosts the Oakland Cemetery event. Other ceremonies took place at the VFW Post 3308 cemetery off Crawfordville Road and at the Wakulla County Courthouse. The local Memorial Day commemorations actually got underway Sunday (5/29) at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. It was the first such service at the facility, which opened just over a year ago. Speakers there included North Florida Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Interim Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Glenn Sutphin.
