Smithfield honors the ultimate sacrifice at Memorial Day ceremony
Published 5:38 pm Tuesday, May 30, 2023
- Smithfield High School student Ryan Mack sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” Junior ROTC students present the American and Virginia flags and American Legion Commander Jerry Starling salutes. (Photos by Stephen Faleski | The Smithfield Times)
Smithfield’s American Legion Post 49 held its annual Memorial Day ceremony indoors at the Smithfield Center.
Army Staff Sgt. Krista Osborne, this year’s guest speaker, noted the holiday that typically kicks off the summer season began shortly after the Civil War, and was originally called “Decoration Day,” for the practice of decorating the graves of fallen veterans with flowers. She then read the names of the 13 Armed Forces members killed on Aug. 26, 2021, by a suicide bomber during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, noting most had been in their 20s.
Del. Emily Brewer, R-Isle of Wight, also delivered remarks, urging attendees to “remind the next generation” of “the cost” of freedom.
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- American Legion Post 49 Commander Jerry Starling delivers remarks.
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- Army Staff Sgt. Krista Osborne, the American Legion’s guest speaker, delivers remarks.
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- The Smithfield High School Band performs.
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- Del. Emily Brewer, R-Isle of Wight, delivers remarks.
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- Smithfield Mayor Steve Bowman delivers remarks.
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- Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors Chairman William McCarty delivers remarks.
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- Marie Arinello and Elizabeth Shepherd present a wreath of red, white and blue flowers decorated with American flags.
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- American Legion members Steve Stahl and Joe Grocki stand at attention with their firearms after firing a rifle volley salute.
