Video: Memorial Day Program Remembers Those Who Gave All

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) — For Bill Wardlaw, Memorial Day is a time for people to remember those who served and sacrificed everything for a cause bigger than themselves.

Wardlaw spent 20 years in the United States Navy as an air traffic controller. He served as guest speaker during Pontotoc’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony on the courthouse square.

“It is a great honor to stand here and hear the names read of all the ones who has died in our county that’s given their all for my freedom,” Wardlaw said.

Wardlaw encouraged young people to never forget the ultimate sacrifices made by so many. He also asked them to strongly consider military service, when they are old enough.

Girl Scouts demonstrated flag etiquette, and showed the proper way to retire the Stars and Stripes.

“I think it’s important because you can’t just mistreat a flag, it is the symbol of our country, it is the symbol of men and women who have died to protect our freedom,” said Beth Wray, a volunteer with the Girl Scouts.

Billy Irvin was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He believes respecting the flag is another way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

“For many of us it seems like Memorial Day is just a three day weekend to go to the lake and have a barbecue and we tend to forget that the reason we have it, reason Memorial Day started, was to honor our fallen heroes,” Irvin said.

The Marine Corps League organizes the annual Memorial Day program in Pontotoc County.