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E-mail This StorySending the American flag skyward and the sounding of taps captured the solemn gratitude hundreds shared Monday in Celina as they honored this country’s fallen soldiers.
Memorial Day ceremonies began with American Legion Post 182 color guard raising the American flag and Sara Goodell singing the national anthem.
The event, sponsored by the Celina Area Heritage Association, honored all the veterans who gave their lives in defense of America, but it especially honored Celina resident 2nd Lt. Peter Burks who was killed in Iraq on Nov. 14, 2007. He was 26 years old.
“I found myself pretty emotional today,” Mayor-elect Jim Lewis said following the ceremony. “I think as I get older I understand [Memorial Day] more.”
Lewis said it was good to see a crowd at the event.
“We need to spend a little more time doing this on Memorial Day and a little less time at the lake,” he said.
Guest speaker Navy chaplain Lt. Commander Renee P. Lawson spoke about remembering and how important it is.
“No soldier dies in vain if they are remembered,” Lawson said.
He called on all Americans to honor and remember that freedom is not free.
During the event, former Mayor Corbett Howard spoke about Burks and U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall gave the Burks family copies of his speech to Congress about their fallen loved one. Charles Boatwright of American Legion Post 182 in Little Elm and Randy Roberts of the Patriot Guard Riders presented plaques to the family and to the Burks honoring their son.
“I was very honored to see all the people here to honor my brother,” Alison Burks said between tears. “At times it doesn’t seem too real that he is gone.”
The ceremonies closed with Lewis placing a wreath at the foot of the veterans’ memorial and the sound of taps, played by Olivia Ready, echoing in the square.
After the event, many veterans looked at the wall and veterans’ memorial and talked in low voices.
“I think it was a very good ceremony, very touching,” said Vietnam veteran Mike Moseley as he looked at the Celina memorial. “Listed here I have my daddy and my uncles.”
Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran Don Strup had tears in his eyes as he talked about the ceremony.
“It is always great to see the community turn out for memorial services,” Strup said. “It brought back memories of the past that only stay in the minds of soldiers that were there.”
The Celina Area Heritage Association museum provided refreshments and a special display of photos and memorabilia dating from World War I to the present.
