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We had such a tremendous time of honoring & remembering at “Highland Memorial Day 2011.”

Not only were we blessed with great weather and a great turnout for the event, on top of all that, we had the privilege of being the main “Memorial Day” story featured on the 6:00 and 11:00 pm TV20 news. For your viewing pleasure, below is a link to the associated video:

http://www.wcjb.com/news/9590/ocala-memorial-day-service

To view the Highland Memorial Day 2011 Facebook photo album, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/media/set/?set=a.10150195191053037.311374.238124063036

Recognize. Respect. Remember.

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HIGHLAND MEMORIAL DAY 2011

May 30, 2011

On Memorial Day morning, as 176 American Flags lined the entrance road to beautiful, historic Highland Memorial Park, a collection of antique military vehicles, a modern day fire engine, the 40 ft long “Florida Veterans Medical & Dental Mobile Unit,” the FL Blood Centers “Big Red Bus,” the “TG Lee Mobile Ice Cream Station,” members of AFA Red Tail Chapter 136, Vets Helping Vets Organization, dozens of military personnel, military cadets and VIP dignitaries filed into the park to take their place in the events of…Highland Memorial Day 2011.

At 11:00 am, the festivities kicked off with red, white, and blue favorites from Sousa marches to patriotic hymns and anthems as arriving guests registered for the event.

At 11:15 the ceremonies officially began with an invocation by Lt Commander (US Navy Retired) Elden Luffman. Master of Ceremonies, Lieutenant Colonel (U.S. Army, Ret.) William Halker, officiated the remainder of the event beginning with the posting of our nation’s colors followed by reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of our National Anthem.

Next up, the “2011 What is Memorial Day & What Does It Mean to Me?” Essay Contest Awards Ceremony began. Two winning essays received a $1,000 US Savings Bond, two 1^st and two 2^nd Runner-Up winners received a $500 US Savings Bond and twenty $25 consolation prizes were awarded as well. Students who received the top six prizes read their essays aloud as the audience listened intently.

This was followed by the “Honoring America’s Heroes” ceremony…to honor local heroes who made a supreme sacrifice on our behalf. It included a patriotic Wreath-Laying Ceremony, Tolling of Bells, Bagpipes, 21 gun salute, and playing of Taps by Les Muncaster, Conductor of the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band.

The next event to take place was the “Heroes of Freedom” presentation...to honor World War II Veterans, specifically. At this special tribute, a total of thirteen World War II Veterans were recognized with a “Certificate of Appreciation.” A recounting of their most significant military experiences were read aloud as the audience sat in wrapped attention. Afterward, both essay contest winners and guests had a “meet & greet” opportunity with these notable men of honor.

Closing ceremonies included a moment of silence, prayer for our service men and women and a soloist performance of “God Bless America” performed by songstress, Sheilah Halker.

Justin Baxley, President of Highland Memorial Park said of the event, “Memorial Day is all about remembering. Our hope each year is to provide an experience, following the traditional Memorial Day services at the beautiful Marion County Veterans Park, which allows the community to come together and remember. We also want to provide an opportunity for our Nation’s Heroes to interact with children and young families who need to hear their stories of valor and liberty.”