Andersonville National Historic Site will commemorate Memorial Day with events that are free and open to the public, beginning on Saturday, May 27 and concluding on Tuesday, May 30. Retired US Army Col. Rob Choppa will serve as keynote speaker at the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. The weekend’s events will close with a public funeral service for Corporal Luther Story, Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.
“Memorial Day presents an opportunity to remember the military men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. It is our great privilege to pay tribute to them, particularly those resting here at Andersonville National Cemetery”, said Superintendent Gia Wagner
Memorial Day service activities at the park begin on Saturday, May 27, when hundreds of scouts and other volunteers will place small American flags on more than 20,000 gravesites in Andersonville National Cemetery. The dramatic and moving display of thousands of veterans’ graves decorated with American flags, along with the Avenue of Flags placed by volunteers of Rolling Thunder Chapter Three, will create a powerful and patriotic setting for visitors.
On Sunday, May 28, the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony will be held in Andersonville National Cemetery. The U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence band will perform at 1:30 p.m. followed by the formal program at 2 p.m. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker retired US Army Col. Rob Choppa, and wreath presentations will be conducted by several military, civic and patriotic organizations.
On Monday, May 29, the public are invited to attend 2 events. The Knights of Columbus will hold a special mass in the cemetery at 11 a.m. At 2 p.m., the public is invited to attend a reinterment ceremony with full military honors for Corporal Luther Story. Corporal Story was a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient whose remains had been unidentified until recently.
“The National Park Service and Andersonville National Historic Site are honored that the family of Medal of Honor recipient Luther Story has chosen to lay him to rest at Andersonville National Cemetery,” said Superintendent Gia Wagner. “As a child, Luther grew up nearby and attended school in Plains and in Americus. We are grateful he is finally coming home after his death in combat during the Korean War nearly 73 years ago. The story of his bravery and selflessness is remarkable.”
Following Memorial Day weekend, park staff are seeking volunteers to help clean up the cemetery on Tuesday, May 30, including the careful removal of the small flags that were placed for the events. For more information, please call Caitlyn Price, volunteer coordinator, at 229- 924-0343.
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