Those who gave all are remembered

'We will win this battle ...,’ says speaker at Andersonville Memorial Day event

Leila Barrett Case

ANDERSONVILLE — America’s military that died in wartime were remembered in solemn ceremonies conducted at Andersonville National Historic Site (NHS) Sunday afternoon, and that began with the colors advanced by the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany.

A large crowd from a wide area, many veterans of past wars that included former prisoners of war (POWs), gathered on the grassy hillside to pay tribute to those who served and whose lives were taken on the battlefield, so Americans can enjoy the freedom we have today. They sat under the gigantic camouflage canopy or hugged the shade of the spreading oaks overlooking the graves of military personnel all marked by tiny American flags that fluttered in the breeze.

There was patriotic music, the solemn laying of wreaths and the featured speaker Rear Admiral Patricia Wolfe brought stirring remarks about the acute awareness of what the nation’s military does for our country.

But, perhaps no one in the audience was more aware than Belinda Poole of Ellaville. Her son, Sgt. 1st Class Victor Anderson, died in Iraq in 2005 and is buried a short distance from where the ceremonies were taking place. Anderson was a Sumter County deputy sheriff, before his deployment with the local unit of the Georgia National Guard. Later, Poole wiped away tears as she talked about her son to Wolfe.

Though their encounter was brief, it was obvious to bystanders that it was poignant.

Earlier in the day, Wolfe said she visited Anderson’s grave, as well as Army Specialist Durrell Bennett, who was killed in Iraq and buried just six weeks ago in the National Cemetery. She noted, “We can never forget him or Sgt. Anderson. We will remember these men and the thousands of others who perished in service to our country over the years.

“This Memorial Day is dedicated to their memory — that is why we are all standing here today.”

She noted it a coincidence that one served in the active duty Army, while the other was a member of the Georgia National Guard.

“But here, in their final resting place, they are both the same — honored soldiers who gave their life for their country. As we continue to rely on our men and women who serve our nation, both active and reserve, we should always be grateful for their service.”

A reservist and commander, Wolfe, who just this past fall returned from deployment to the Central Command Area of Operations, said, “I can tell you that members of our Guard and reserve forces are doing the job with every bit of the skill, ability and dedication as our active duty forces. Our reserve components often bring expertise to the fight that is far greater than the skills correlated with their military specialty.

“Our nation’s strategic Reserve forces have become an operational reserve, and most recently a very, very employed and deployed Operational reserve.”

She pointed out that every day, “Our military forces, active and reserve, have the chance to make the world safer. And we can. Every day, our military has the ability to spread freedom and the power to fight and destroy terrorists. And we must. We will win this battle, preserve, protect and promote freedom.”

In closing, Wolfe reminded all to never forget those who died, never fail to live up to their standard and “may we never falter in our fight for freedom at home and abroad.”

As people filed in or on their way out, a great many took time to sign a large white banner, writing a simple greeting or note of encouragement that will be sent to the service military serving in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, the unit that relieved Wolfe’s last fall.

Among those writing notes was 2nd District Congressman Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-Ga.) of Albany, who introduced the program speaker, and Mark Stibitz, president of the Friends of Andersonville, who gave an update on the Friends’ efforts of providing direct support to the historic site.

And for the first time at the annual observance, patriotic musical selections preceding the formal program were recorded rather than played by the Fort Benning Infantry Center band.

Fred Boyles, master of ceremonies, explained in his opening remarks that the band, engaged six months ago, asked to be excused from performing last week, so they could welcome home soldiers returning home from the Middle East.

The Rev. Tommy McConnell gave the invocation then Edward L. DeMent, National Director of the Southwest Regional American Ex POW organization, recognized veterans of the armed forces.

Following the solemn laying of wreaths by representatives of patriotic services and civic organizations, the ceremony closed with a rifle salute fired by a unit from the Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, and then John S. Gray, park ranger at the historic site, played taps that fell silently over the still hillside. Following the benediction given by McConnell, everyone joined in singing “God Bless America.”

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