Observed on the last Monday of the month of May, Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
Every year, WACO 100 honors the local heroes who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
War casualties from Washington County as they appear on the monuments located on the Downtown Sandersville Square include the following:
World War I: Carroll William Deal, Claude Louis Deal, Julius Hartley, Abbie Lee Johnson, Lewis Cheatham Newsom, Wilbur Stuart Sewell, Sr., William H. Sumner, and Robert Weston Veal.
World War II: Beverly E. Barksdale, Onie Brantley, Julian T. Cochran, Henry L. Collins, William T. Ennis, Jr., Frank Rapely, Thomas H. Fields, Herschel E. Fulghum, John Glover, William M. Goodwin, Jr., Matt T. Hadden, Reno A. Page, Samuel F. Hodges, Roy E. Horton, James T. Johnson, Buester J. Johnston, Lionel C. Lewis, Curtis L. Mason, John O. Mullis, Carl H. Mullis, Charlie H. Mullis, Jess W. Patterson, George W. Sheppard, Jr., Ralph L. Taylor, Francis V. Walker, Alvin F. Davis, Willis Hall, Jerry Shurling, James Orr, Lonnie F. Marsh, Joseph Harrison, Moses H. Goodrich, John Burten Ivey, Durwood C. McDaniel, Jesse R. Miller, Jr., John Conn, Joe Rabun Brett, Kenneth W. Walker, Lamar Kelley, Marvin Williford, H.C. Jones, Edward S. Pullin, Ralph E. Scarboro, and Charles B. Avant.
The Korean War: Joseph Kelsey, Charles A. Lord, Charlie Wilcher, Jr., James W. Snell, and James R. Stapleton.
The Vietnam War: Thomas Howard Jones, Curtis Darrisaw, Freddie Lee Johnson, Lloyd Adrian Payne, and Ben Willis Howell.
Many people confuse Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Both holidays were established to recognize and honor men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. However, Memorial Day was set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in their services to our country.
May we never forget that freedom isn’t free. We live in the home of the free because of the brave. Let us remember the real meaning behind this holiday – Memorial Day.
“I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” ~ Lee Greenwood