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Georgia Veterans Cemetery Memorial program draws large crowd
Photo courtesy of Paul Evans Colors are posted at Veterans’s Memorial Cemetery, Glennville
Colors are posted at Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Glennville. (Photo courtesy of Paul Evans)

The annual Memorial Day program at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery was held on Monday, May 29, 2023, beginning at ll:30 a.m. Mr. Ernie Cowart, Director of the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, opened the program precisely at 11:30.   Glennville Mayor Bernie Weaver welcomed visitors along with State Representative Bill Werkheiser of District 157.  The Colors were posted by a color guard representing District Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart. Specialist Jillian Bojoh, 3rd Artillery Band, Fort Stewart, sang the National Anthem. 

Lt. Colonel Timothy E. Nix
Lt. Colonel Timothy E. Nix

The Keynote Address was presented by Lt. Colonel Timothy E. Nix, Commander, 92nd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart. A major part of Lt. Colonel Nix’s address pertained to the renaming of military bases formerly named for Confederate generals such as Fort Pickett, Virginia,  (named after General George Pickett who got credit for the failed charge at Cemetery Ridge during the Battle of Gettysburg) or Fort Bragg (General Braxton Bragg of Chickamauga fame who failed to take Chattanooga). All told, nine forts will be renamed to better reflect the modern values of the U.S. Army, according to Lt. Colonel Nix. 

After the keynote address, the Colors were retired along with a 21-gun salute by the 83rd CBRN Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.  “Taps” was played by Specialist Christopher Pate, 3rd Infantry Division Band.

After “Taps,” the American Flag was raised to full staff (it is displayed at half-staff until 12 noon on Memorial Day) by Norman Davisworth and Gary Yawn of VFW Post 8379, Glennville. 

For most present, they seized the opportunity to walk among the rows of headstones to look for fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, or friends who served in the United States military services and are laid to rest in the cemetery. Visitors put coins on the headstones in memory, and many sat in front of burial sites and may have talked to those who have passed on.  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony.