Killbuck celebrates a memorial moment for the sailors
Members of the Killbuck VFW Post 7079 Color Guard participated in a special ceremony honoring the U.S. Navy members who gave their lives in the name of service during the Memorial Day activities in Killbuck. The dropping of a wreath into the Killbuck Creek is an annual event.
Dave Mast
While Armed Forces of all types took time to honor and remember those who have served their country faithfully on Memorial Day, May 26, there was a special ceremony in Killbuck that focused on the Navy.
In a unique part of the Memorial Day service, the Killbuck VFW Post 7079 Color Guard took time to present a ceremonial tossing of the wreath into the Killbuck Creek to honor fallen sailors.
The ceremony took place on the bridge on the west side of town passing over the Killbuck Creek, where the color guard fired off a 21-gun salute, but not until Navy veteran Park Russell tossed a bouquet of flowers off the bridge in a solemn moment honoring every sailor who has lost his or her life in the name of serving their country.
It was a moment of silence and remembrance as the wreath of red roses floated down the Killbuck Creek.
“This is done specially to honor all of the fallen sailors that were killed in World War II,” said Russell, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War. “This one is always very meaningful to me, and it is to all of us because these veterans here today are all honorable men who want to pay homage to those who served and gave their all. For us it’s emotional. We all remember something, and some of us can handle it, and some struggle to do so.”
Russell said each veteran appreciates the time and effort put forth by every community member who comes out to show their respect. He added that for the sake of those who have died in service, every single day should be a day to remember their ultimate sacrifice.
The crew also performed the identical Memorial Day service in Glenmont as Holmes County remembered those who served and died.
