Veterans represented all branches of U.S. military service at Monday’s Memorial Day service in Bartlett. About 150 people attended the ceremony at Veterans Park.
The event included:
- An opening prayer by Chaplin Ray Conley
- The Pledge of Allegiance led by Glenda Vilseck, American legion Auxiliary, Past Tennessee State President
- The National Anthem
- An original Memorial Day poem by Geoffrey Meece
- A guest speaker: The Rev. Dr. Ronnie C. King, U.S. Navy (retired) Captain and senior pastor of Grace Missionary Baptist Church
- An armed forces medley, with veterans standing when they heard their branch’s song played
- Closing remarks by Bartlett Mayor A. Keith McDonald
- An emotionally charged recording of Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the U.S.A” and audience members softly singing along
- The laying of a wreath at the memorial by the mayor and Glenn Ross, post commander for American Legion Elvis Presley Post 249
- “Taps” played by Susan Spain, band director West Collierville Middle School
Photos by Carolyn Bahm
