“On this sacred Memorial Day, we gather here to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.”
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Community members gathered Monday at a pair of locations in Warrenton to remember those who lost their lives in service to the United States.
The annual Memorial Day service in Warrenton was held at the Tribute to Veterans Memorial and Elks Lodge. United States Air Force Veteran Rebecca Tallman was the speaker at the ceremony. Tallman served for 20 years in the Air force.
“On this sacred Memorial Day, we gather here to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation,” Tallman said. “As a veteran myself, I stand before you with deep reverence and gratitude for the selfless acts of valor that have secured our freedom.”
Tallman said Memorial Day is a reminder of the countless lives laid down in service to the country. It is also a time to honor the courage and commitment demonstrated by those who answered the call to defend the ideals Americans hold dear, she said.
Tallman stressed each fallen hero represents a unique story of an individual who embraced their duty with unwavering dedication. She noted while they hailed from diverse backgrounds and from every corner of the country, they were united by their love for the country and commitment to protect the freedoms Americans hold dear.
“Today as we stand here together, we have to remember the families left behind,” Tallman said. “The mothers, fathers, spouses and children who bore the weight of loss and carried on the legacy of our fallen heroes. Their strength and resilience remind us that the cost of freedom extends far beyond the battlefield. We must never forget this sacrifice nor the sacrifices of those who gave everything for us.”
Tallman urged those in attendance to honor the fallen by living lives worthy of their sacrifice. She encouraged everyone to support and uplift one another, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie that transcend their differences.
“On this Memorial Day, let us renew our commitment to the ideals that our fallen heroes fought so valiantly to defend,” Tallman said. “May their memories inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves, to stand up for justice and preserve the precious gift of freedom for our future generations.”
Monday’s Memorial Day Service was put on by the Warrenton VFW, Warrenton Marine Corps League and the Elk Club. Rick Mantione was one of a group of individuals who play a part in putting on the annual event.
“Let us share our hearts and minds and thoughts with those who gave the most precious gift of all, our freedom,” Mantione said at the beginning of the ceremony. “Although we cannot see or hear them, please feel their presence. The many thousands of men and women who made the greatest sacrifice that can be given, their lives for our current way of life. Freedom. Never let it slip away. Never.”