At a Memorial Day tribute to veterans who died as a result of their service, the public was asked to remember their lives, their sacrifice and the families left behind.
At the highest point of the EmilyAnn gardens at Veterans Memorial Plaza, the solemn ceremony was opened by the Director of the Veterans Plaza, Mike Lukowiak. In his opening remarks he told the assembled crowd that Memorial Day was once known as Decoration Day.
“Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War, and now 155 years later, it is a day of grief and celebration, together. We grieve for the loss of life and celebrate the courageousness of their sacrifice,” Lukowiak said. “The respect we pay them on this day pays homage to their lives, and by sharing their stories, we keep their memories alive.”
Following his remarks, VFW Post 6441 Commander Huey Sandifer led citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by the national anthem performed by the duo, Texas ATRAS. Suzanne Adams sang a beautiful rendition while Russ Glover accompanied her.
The service featured two keynote speakers, a husband and wife who both currently serve in the Texas Army National Guard: Command Sgt. Major Jesse Kennis II and Force Commander Liaison Offensive Army Futures, Major Laurel Miller.
Kennis, who has spent 34 years in service and saw deployment in Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, reminded listeners that “Freedom isn’t Free.” In a moving statement he described seeing the 10,000 white crosses in Normandy on Omaha Beach where soldiers paid for freedom with their lives during WWII’s D-Day.
Kennis introduced his wife, Laurel Miller who entered the armed forces after 30 years in law enforcement. “She recently returned from a year-long deployment in Iraq and Syria,” he said, “for which their boys were very happy.” According to Kennis, they’ve been living off take-out from Pizza Hut and other restaurants while she was away from home.
Miller urged listeners to remember the sacrifice of family members and the families left behind. “Show compassion and respect for their loss.”
Lukowiak returned to the microphone for closing remarks and led the lowering of the flags to half mast before ending the commemoration.
