Fallen heroes remembered on Memorial Day

Rick Harris, left, the Gold Star father of First Lt. Noah Harris who was killed in action in Iraq, and Mike Pilvinsky, of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, right, place a wreath to honor those killed in America’s wars during a Memorial Day service held at Gilmer Veterans Memorial Park Monday, May 29.

U.S. Navy Capt. Greg Sandway (Ret.) gives the keynote address during the Memorial Day service at Gilmer Veterans Park. In emphasizing the sacrifice for freedom, he quoted Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Victory at any cost does not come at bargain prices.”

William Hall, an honorary deputy with the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, plays “Taps.”

Lucy Harris, the Gold Star mother of First Lt. Noah Harris who was killed in action in Iraq, sings a poem he composed and that she set to music. The rendering was a special tribute to her son and all veterans who were remembered on Memorial Day.

Sandy Lyons, right, the driving force for the building of Veterans Memorial Bridge in the background, receives a Plaque of Appreciation from Don Murray of the Gilmer Veterans Memorial Committee on Memorial Day. At left, is committee member Ben Arp, who noted Lyons’ “tireless efforts” during the project that began in 1997 and was dedicated in 2009.

An unnamed veteran wearing the Revolutionary War uniform of a Colonial soldier stands sentinel over more than 200 attendees at Monday’s Memorial Day service.