Leon County Memorial Day Service

An awesome display of reverence by the Leon County Drill Team, Leon County Boy Scout Troops, and Cub Scout Pack 610 of Oakwood during the Memorial Day Service. Photo by Melissa Missildine With the end of the school year upon us, it is easy to overlook the Memorial Day holiday. Graduations, TAKS testing, prom, college applications, and summer vacations tend to overwhelm us all... even those who do not have children in school. It was important to Leon County to remember Memorial Day and the importance of the celebration. So, amongst the chaos, time was taken to honor those who have fought and died to keep this great country free for you and me.

Assembled at the Leon County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Centerville, stood a group of young people in crisp uniforms amongst a sea of billowing flags. The Leon County Drill Team, Leon County Boy Scout Troops, and Cub Scout Pack 610 of Oakwood all came together under the guidance of American Legion Post #335 and the East Texas Patriot Guard to pay their respects to our fallen heroes. They were supported by the Centerville Chamber of Commerce and the Leon County Commissioners Court.

Senior Patrol Leader, 1st Class Scout Kevin Gonzales from BSA Troop 6335, welcomed everyone and introduced the Master of Ceremonies, Larry Bass. The Honor Guard was called to attention. In the lead was Leon County's only Webelos Scout, Devon Missildine who marched with pride followed by his fellow Cub Scouts, Wolf Scout Kalan Rodriguez and Bobcat Charles Malina. Flanking Pack 610, was the Leon County Drill Team who place a patriot wreath on the Memorial. The Boy Scout Troops followed and held steadfast at the base of the memorial.

The Scouts were called to attention by Bass, they saluted, and the pledge of allegiance began. A moment of silence fell upon the crowd, and then there was the prayer. Bass asked for a showing of veterans from all of the wars since World War I up to the present so that they might be recognized. Although there were no World War I vets, there were three World War II veterans in attendance, along with five from the Korean War, seven from the Vietnam War, and one from the Gulf War. Each group was told thank you and given a round of applause.

Dan Wingerson was asked to speak to the crowd about the Veteran's Cemetery Cross Program and how it tied in to the Memorial. He encourage those who could, do donate to the program so that every Veteran in all of Leon County might receive a white cross marker on his/ her grave in which an Ameri- can flag will be placed at each appropriate holiday by the Scouts. He then went on to remind everyone of how they could obtain a brick marker at the Memorial for anyone who had ever served in any branch of the military from Leon County.

In Conclusion of the Memorial Day Service, the Flags around the courthouse were raised from half to full mast. Afterward, spectators were invited to participate in a flag retirement ceremony. Wingerson explained the proper flag etiquette. The tattered and torn flags were burned in honor or memory of a person who had served in the military. The ashes will be buried to complete the retirement ceremony.