The Waynedale News

It was time to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and, those who are willing to.

As many of us celebrated Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of summer with friends and families, in Waynedale we most importantly remembered those who have given their lives for our freedom.

Supporting our troops and families, hundreds of people proudly waved flags up and down Old Trail Road for this year's Memorial Day parade.

The parade began at 9am from the Waynedale United Methodist Church parking lot with State Patrol Officer "Luke" sounding his horn and giving slap waves as he passed through the parade route.

Young and old, waved, cheered and saluted as host Post #1421 Veterans of Foreign Wars, followed by American Legion Post #241 and AMVets Post #33 marched.

Rep. Todd Rokita (IN-4) released on May 30, 2011, "Memorial Day is a time to honor the more than 1 million Americans who, as Abraham Lincoln said, 'gave the last full measure of devotion' in their service to our nation, from the first militiamen that fell at Lexington and Concord in 1775 to those heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must never forget these brave Americans and honor their sacrifice by securing and handing down an even stronger nation than we inherited, rooted in our founding ideals to future generations."

After, the parade crowd walked to Prairie Grove Cemetery to observe the 21-gun salute, playing of the National Anthem by Wayne High School, and honoring those who have fallen with the traditional laying of the wreath by 122nd Fighter Wing officials.

"We are not to mourn the dead soldiers, but to praise them," was the message presented during the special military ceremony from 122nd Fighter Wing representatives Hovarter and Moody. "Remembering the lives lost, never forgetting the missing...celebrating liberty, love and life."

This day was about the fallen and, those who are willing, heroes that we love.