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Members of American Legion Post 370 gathered at Highlands Veterans Plaza for a Memorial Day observance on Monday.
A large crowd packed Highlands Veterans’ Plaza on Monday for American Legion Post 370’s annual Memorial Day observance.
Following a year with few public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public showed its support for America’s war dead en force.
“It’s great to see so many people here on a solemn day in which we remember all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey said. “We hope that everyone will take a moment to view the honor walk and read the names aloud so that they may never be forgotten.”
McCloskey read the names of the four newest members of the honor walk and encouraged the crowd to pick up brick order forms from a kiosk at entrance to the honor walk to recognize their friends and family who served in the military. There are currently 314 memorial bricks in place, so there is room for an additional 686 bricks when the space is needed.
The day’s keynote address was given by Highlands Mayor, and United States Army veteran, Patrick Taylor.
“I was watching a sporting event yesterday on television and I noticed that the American Legion ran an ad during that event,” Taylor said. “It reminded me of all the people who have given their lives for our country. It’s important that we all remember their families, and we realize that not all who die as a result of their service die on the battlefield.”
Taylor recalled a story of a former service member who was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and suffered serious injury. The man survived, came back to the United States and had a successful second career and a loving family.
“That man’s wound may have healed enough for him to have a productive and fulfilling life, but it never went away,” Taylor said. “He had never ending complications, additional surgeries, and a number of health issues before ultimately passing away at just 50 years old.”
Taylor added that the specter of suicide among former military service members continues to loom and encouraged those in attendance to take care of both their physical and mental health.
Following a closing prayer from Post 370 chaplain Paul Showalter, “Taps” was played in honor of those who lost their lives in military service.
American Legion Post 370 meets at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the United Methodist Church in Highlands. For more information, call McCloskey at 828-787-1660.