By Joshua Bassett
Hundreds gathered Monday on Granville’s Main Street and in Veterans Park to honor and celebrate those lost in service to the country.
The parade featured members of the American Legion, the Granville Junior-Senior High School band and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, along with others.
As the parade made its way toward the park, it stopped at the bridge over the Mettowee River where a wreath was tossed from the bridge into the river in honor of those who sacrificed themselves serving in the U.S. Navy.
The parade continued to Veterans’ Park, where “Taps” was played and two Boy Scouts raised the colors at the flag pole.
Speakers included Mayor Brian LaRose and Donald “Skip” Perkins, who has served as county American Legion commander.
LaRose said that those who serve possess courage, pride and determination.
“They were called to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” LaRose said.
LaRose thanked everyone for coming out, saying that their presence at the ceremony means a lot.
Butch Hurlburt of VFW Post 1635 introduced the special speaker, Perkins.
“I’m honored to be here in Granville,” Perkins said, adding that he was “really, really pleased” to see the turnout for the event.
Perkins brought up two names of soldiers who had served the country, Dale Hansen and Brittany Gordon.
Perkins said that Hansen was involved in the battle of Okinawa in 1945 and by himself had used a rocket launcher to destroy a pillbox, a rifle until it jammed, and the butt of his rifle to fight off enemy soldiers. Hansen was awarded the Medal of Honor, which went to his parents because, Perkins said, Hansen was killed later by a Japanese sniper.
Perkins talked about Gordon, who was serving in Afghanistan, moving furniture to an intelligence office when she was killed by a suicide bomber two years ago.
Perkins cited a letter she had written when she was a child asking the tooth fairy to return a tooth she had lost so she could show her friends at school.
Perkins read a quote her mother, Brenda, gave to the Tampa Bay Times: “That just speaks volumes to who she was.”
“They are real people with real families who lived in real communities,” Perkins said. “Today is another opportunity for us to give thanks,” said Perkins. “We owe it to their loved ones left behind.”
Perkins spoke about the history of Memorial Day and why it was chosen to be the day that it is.
“It’s not about beaches, picnics or auto races,” Perkins said. “It’s about remembering.”