Subtropical Storm Alberto canceled many Memorial Day observances across the Florida Panhandle. But the three ceremonies in Tallahassee soldiered on by relocating to indoor spaces.
The ceremony of Sauls-Bridges American Legion Post 13 moved from Tallahassee's Oakland Cemetery to the Post Home at Lake Ella. There Commander Val Frailey quoted a tribute poem to fallen comrades from Ed Stearman, a local veteran who fought in the battle for Iwo Jima.
"We gave our very best. We could not give any more. To the men that gave all, you're missed and will never be forgotten."
The featured speaker, who also addressed Sunday's observance at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, was retired Air Force Major General Michael Snodgrass.
"They gave themserves to defend our nation and to defend those who could not defend themselves," General Snodgrass said. "And they took those risks because their nation needed them and their sacrifice has endured to us today."
The weather forced the National Cemetery's ceremony into a large maintenance shed. Post 3308 VFW's observance relocated from the Post's cemetery to its headquarters on West Tennessee Street.
