Memorial Day is more than a long weekend and barbecue
May 27—Emma Landrum of Priceville loves Memorial Day because it gives her a chance to remember fallen soldiers and service members.
She has dedicated her young life to this cause — the Forgotten Heroes Project. She started when she was a Brownie Scout at age 8 or 9 and continues today as a senior Girl Scout at age 15.
"When I was a little girl we went to Roselawn (Cemetery) for Graves Across America and I learned there were 10 unmarked graves. And it made me distraught. This was completely not OK. So, I went to Mom and Dad and said I need some help to do this."
Using Christmas and birthday money and money making bracelets, she purchased the marble bases needed for nine bronze memorial plaques, which denote a soldier's grave, and one headstone honoring an Army nurse. For the latter, she received help from Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. The 10 memorials cost $5,000.
She credits her dad, an Air Force veteran who died of COVID-19 in 2021, with drilling into her the importance of remembering those who serve — police officers, veterans and others. She is working on getting more graves identified.
"This is not because of my Girl Scout project, this is because of my heart," she said, vowing to continue her quest even after she leaves the Scouts.
She spoke about the project during Monday's Memorial Day event at the American Legion Post 15 headquarters on U.S. 31.
Dozens of people turned out for the event, which was scheduled to be held at Roselawn Funeral Home but was moved due to rain.
The ceremony began with the presentation of colors by the Morgan County Tech JROTC. They later placed officer hats on six empty chairs to represent fallen soldiers from each branch of the military: Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force.
Donna Johnson, master sergeant (retired) U.S. Army, sang the national anthem and later "God Bless America."
Scouting Troops 142 and 91 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Janine Jordan, first vice commander American Veterans Post 1955, draped a POW/MIA flag over a chair back to represent those who are prisoners of war or missing in action.
Robert Baker recognized veterans of various branches of our armed forces. Tommy Perry, mayor pro tem of Priceville, recognized the officials at the ceremony.
Roll call was held with the names of those soldiers who died this year, read aloud by Morgan County Circuit Court judges.
Marsha King, president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15, recognized the Gold Star mothers, those who had lost a child to war or conflict, some of whom were present Monday.
Major Gen. Frank J. Lozano of the U.S. Army, program executive officer, missiles and space at Redstone Arsenal, gave the keynote address.
"Obviously Memorial Day is very important. You remember the service of the fallen ... how our lives are more enriched because of their sacrifice," he said.
"As we come together, we remember today is Memorial Day, a day that carries solemn weight and deep significance. It is a day of commemoration, a day not just for barbecues and long weekends but for remembrance."
He asked the audience to remember the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, where 7,000 lost their lives; the Normandy invasion of France by Allied troops; and the Gold Star families who lost loved ones.
He said Gold Star families continue to inspire us. They show us that even in the midst of profound loss the spirit of their loved ones endure.
"We must promise to remember them and live lives worthy of them ... . Men and women have died for this country so that we can vote, we can speak freely, we can worship as we choose, we can raise our families and we can pursue our dreams ... . Ask not only who we remember on Memorial Day, but how."
— jean.cole@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2361
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