Memorial Day service held here

By Wayne Ragan
On Monday, May 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., Eastman American Legion Post 126 held a Memorial Day service at the Dodge County Courthouse. The Dodge County High School (DCHS) Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) assisted the American Legion.

Prior to the service beginning, stirring patriotic music was played by fellow legionnaire Jim Wells, who is also a professional disc jockey. Commander Danny Mullis opened with a welcome to the large crowd. He then called for the colors, the American flag and the Georgia state flag, to be posted by the DCHS JROTC.

After colors were posted, a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was sung a cappella, by Macy Pruitt, DCHS student. JROTC cadet Alisha Coleman said the opening prayer. “Taps”, a bugle call played at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and at military funerals by the United States armed forces was played and the American flag was raised. Commander Mullis then recognized special guests Representative Jimmy Pruett and his family. The JROTC cadets then placed four wreaths around the monument to the fallen, representing the four directions they come from in our community.

Andrea McCranie and MSG (Ret.) Johnny Blacke then honored Dodge County’s Gold Star Mothers, mothers whose sons were killed in action. MSG Blacke then presented three plaques to Dodge’s living World War II (WWII) veterans, Fred Bracewell, Delma Veal and Jim Spradley, honoring their WWII service 70 plus years ago.

Following these awards, commander Mullis introduced the guest speaker Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Steven J. Greer, head of the JROTC program at DCHS. CSM (Ret.) Greer spoke not of his valor or deeds, but of honor, duty and respect for those who died fighting for our freedoms that we enjoy today. His speech was short and uplifting.

There was a prayer and final remarks from commander Mullis, ended the ceremony.