SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Cmdr.-Elect Burrell Parmer (center), joined by Auxiliary President Delores DeVaul and Sons of The American Legion Squadron Cmdr. Thomas Tyler, give honors during the sounding of taps at Fred Brock American Legion Post 828 at the conclusion of a Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo by Legionnaire Edward Jones)

 

Fred Brock Post 828 honors the fallen on Memorial Day

Fred Brock American Legion Post 828 - San Antonio, TX

SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Memorial Day is a day about gratitude and remembrance, not just about a day off. It is to remember those men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In honor of those men and women who lost their lives serving this nation, Fred Brock American Legion Post 828 held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the post’s event center.

The keynote speaker was retired Lt. Col. Mary Woolridge, U.S. Air Force Reserve, who served in the Nurse Corps from February 1987 to March 2008 with numerous humanitarian tours to places such as Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Belize and Portugal.

“It is a good thing for us to be together not only to celebrate the lives of those who died in active military service to the nation, but more importantly to remember the cause for which they died,” said Wooldridge. “It speaks of how grateful we are to those who paid the ultimate price.”

During the ceremony, 1st Vice Commander Burrell Parmer, the newly elected post commander, read the names of the Legionnaires who entered Post Everlasting: Gerald Griffin, Rodney McNeil, Robert Oliver, Henry Ross, Raymond Taylor, Roosevelt Tennessee and Lawrence Tucker.

“Memorial Day is not about picnics and parades – though there is nothing wrong with enjoying and celebrating our American way of life,” Parmer remarked. “Memorial Day is about gratitude and remembrance. It is about honoring the men and women who made it possible for us to be able to gather here at the post in peace.”

Towards the ceremony’s conclusion, the post family gathered in front of the post’s Veteran Wall of Honor to hear the Memorial Day Proclamation, the presentation of a wreath and the sounding of taps.

Afterwards, a reception was held with a live performance by local old-school R&B group NCS.

“As always, it’s humbling to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Legionnaire Edward Jones, a Marine veteran and the post’s newly-elected service officer. “We must not let that sacrifice go in vain. We all must do our part to continue protecting our freedoms the honorees gave their all for.”

At noon, Parmer briskly raised the colors from half-staff.

Throughout the day, the post family and their guests had the opportunity to view a Texas Honor Wall depicting photos of Texans who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2002 to 2018.


SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Retired Lt. Col. Mary Woolridge, U.S. Air Force Reserve, who served in the Nurse Corps from February 1987 to March 2008 with numerous humanitarian tours to places such as Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Belize and Portugal, was the keynote speaker during a Memorial Day ceremony held at Fred Brock American Legion Post 828. (Photo by Legionnaire Edward Jones)

SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Cmdr.-Elect Burrell Parmer presents a certificate of appreciation to Lt. Col. Woolridge.

SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Unit 828 Auxiliary President Delores DeVaul lights the first candle on the Memorial Table that honored American POW/MIAs and servicemen and women who have departed. (Photo by Legionnaire Edward Jones)

SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – District 20 Auxiliary Vice President-Elect Ida Allen of Unit 828 lights the second candle on the Memorial Table. (Photo by Legionnaire Edward Jones)

SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Post Chaplain Patricia Wimberly lights the final candle on the Memorial Table. (Photo by Legionnaire Edward Jones)

SAN ANTONIO – (May 30, 2022) – Cmdr.-Elect Burrell Parmer delivers the Memorial Day proclamation in front of the post’s Veterans Wall of Honor. (Photo by Legionnaire Edward Jones)
« Previous story
Next story »