Ed McCloskey, Commander, American Legion Post 370 spoke to those gathered at a Memorial Day ceremony in Veterans Plaza at the Highlands Police Department.
“Ladies and gentlemen and veteran comrades, this day is sacred with the almost visible presence of those who have gone on before us.
“We honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the service of our country and of those others who have dropped their burdens by the wayside of life and are gone to their eternal rest.
“May the ceremonies of today deepen our reverence for our departed friends and comrades. Let us renew our pledge of loyalty to our country and its flag. Let us resolve by word and deed to emphasize the privilege and duty of patriotism.
“May no veteran go unloved; may no veteran walk alone; may no veteran be forgotten until they all come home.
“Today, American Legion Post 370 in conjunction with the Town of Highlands honors those whose bodies consecrate our country’s soil.
Your presence is a tribute to all who served; because of them, our lives are free and our nation lives.”
Honor Walk Brick Program
Participants were urged to walk the “Walkway of Honor,” which is the walkway whose bricks are engraved with the names of veterans. At the signpost of the Veterans Plaza on Oak Street is a 24/7 box containing order blanks for a veteran’s brick, which will be placed in the walkway and dedicated Thursday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
There is room in the “Honor Walkway” for 1,000 bricks honoring veterans from Highlands, Cashiers, and the Scaly Mountain communities.
Including Monday morning’s installation, there are a total of 314 bricks dedicated to specific veterans.
There’s room for 686 more area veterans to be included along the Walkway. On Memorial Day, bricks for James G. Petrone, Kevin Petrone, W. Taliferro Thompson and Magnus S. Thompson were dedicated.
There is a 24/7 “silent salesman” post box with application forms w/ envelope for anyone to order a brick for themselves or a family or friend veteran.
Veterans who are not members of Highlands Post 370 and are interested in joining, can speak to one of the post’s members. The post meets the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Highlands United Methodist Church 9:09 Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. When the pandemic mandates are in the rear-view mirror, the service will resume at 9 a.m. when breakfast is cooked by a Navy cook.
Pictured at the top of the article Sgt. Jonathan Phillips and Sgt. Timothy Broughton from the Highlands Police Department posted the colors Monday morning. Past Commander Ed Jones was the bugler.
Photos by Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper