Photo by Mike Brothers
Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

•June 1, 2016•

Thanks to those who gave their lives fighting for America.

It was the expression of Taps as Memorial Day Services ended at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan on Sunday morning.

American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard, Auxiliary and Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to the cemetery with Sullivan Police Dept. escort.

Sullivan High School band, directed by Brock Feece opened the 8 a.m. ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner.

Rita Florey, founder of the present day Sullivan’s Memorial Celebration emphasized those who stepped forward to serve, didn’t do it for glory, but for a greater cause.

A cause and freedom we can enjoy because of the price they paid.

“Those who selflessly served exemplify patriotism at its core,” Florey said of the fallen. “This is the highest form of citizenship that deserves our respect and gratitude.”

She told the crowd gathered in the morning sun about a prisoner of war in North Vietnam in 1967.

Mike was a 17 year old from Selma, Alabama who had enlisted in the Navy and was captured.      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.