27-05-2025
Williamsburg retirement community honors veterans' ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — In the life plan retirement community of WindsorMeade in Williamsburg, there was a celebration of patriotism.
Retired from the Air Force, Ralph Barrows counted those who died.
'World War I, 53,400 combat deaths with 204,000 wounded,' he said. 'And we lost 63,000 during that war period to flu.'
The Memorial Day program brought together the residents, staff and members of the Veterans Committee to honor the men and women who gave their lives to protect our nation.
'World War II, we lost over 400,000 combat deaths, accidents and disease,' Barrows said.
Barrows served 27 years in the Air Force and, now retired, spoke to the tremendous loss of wars past.
'And lastly in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 7,000 deaths,' Barrows said. 'But we had 53,000 wounded.'
The event shared by residents with moments of personal reflection — some of them veterans themselves of wars long past, resting their eyes, remembering those who rest in peace.
'When somebody said war is hell, that's true,' Barrows said. 'Very little good comes out of war and the wars that are going on right now. God help the people that are involved, and hopefully they'll be resolved soon.'
The event wrapped up with a musical tribute to America from folk singer Bill Francavilla.
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