JAMESTOWN — Jamestown celebrated Memorial Day with a parade and a short service at Silvercreek Cemetery Monday. Local groups marched from the Jamestown Opera House to the cemetery as part of the day’s activities.
“We are here to honor our fallen heroes,” Jamestown Mayor Jerrod Pickens said, “Take time to thank them, think about them and never forget them.”
Howie Price, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Jamestown, prayed over the service and spoke about how the military deserve to have people supporting them – both their leadership and the rest of the country.
“We need to remind ourselves constantly that there are people out there getting shot at in horrible conditions so we can have our comforts,” Price said. “They need our support.”
He also encouraged those in attendance to remember soldiers in prayer, making “every day a Memorial Day.”
Cody Myers, a Greeneview High School senior and member of marching band, played “Taps” while a wreath was placed at the cemetery flagpole.
“To me it’s more than just playing a couple notes on the trumpet,” Myers said. “It was a song that was used to let soldiers know the day was over, you could relax. And today it’s known as a memorial. What goes through my mind is just the thought that over a million men and women have died fighting for our nation. It’s an honor to be able to play it, to be able to play for those men and women who have served our country. It’s so much more than I could probably describe.”
Pickens closed the service by thanking the groups who participated in the parade and service and sharing some of his personal thoughts on how the military is treated.
“I feel embarrassed by our country’s leaders who do not stand behind our men and women of service,” he said. “These people paid the ultimate price, and I want them to know God is with you, God is with them. We the people are with you, and we will not apologize to anyone for our actions in defending our nation. To the ones who have served who are with us today, I thank you.”
