24-05-2025
Memorial Day brings remembrances of those who served and those who gave all
In a cemetery unknown to many, five veterans buried there were remembered Friday.
While acknowledging Memorial Day is held to remember those who gave their lives in the service of their nation, a small group assembled at Colony Hill Cemetery to remember the former military personnel buried there.
'This is our way of saying thank you for everything that they've done,' said Rich Lyles, who organized the small ceremony. Joining him were his daughter Sadé, along with Kenny Heaton and Manzel McGhee of the Small Business Development Center in Abilene.
"You know, it's important that we remember our fallen, and this cemetery, you know, I had no idea it was here," said McGhee, an Air Force retiree. "This is important. I'm going to pass this on to my fellow veterans and let them know; that way maybe they'll include this cemetery in the future when they do their wreath layings."
Located opposite 3420 FM 1750, about halfway between Colony Hill Road and Hardison Lane, the oldest grave in the cemetery appears to be from 1889. The five veterans buried here are William Samuel Beam III, Henry 'Mit' Milford Day, D. McDougald, and Clarke Putnam Orr. Some died as early as 1914 while others were as recent as 2015.
Monday at 11 a.m. will see a larger Memorial Day ceremony at Abilene's Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 7457 W. Lake Road. Parking usually extends onto the road outside the cemetery so an early arrival is recommended.
The observance will be hosted by the Dyess Chiefs Group and will feature the Abilene Community Band, West Texas Patriot Guard Riders, the Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard, and Big Country One flyover.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Memorial Day remembers those who served and those who gave all
